Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative report shows increasing interest in smart tech, growing desire for transparency

A new report released this week by the nonprofit Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) highlighted consumer views on energy-related behaviors and decision-making, as well as on their providers.

“As technology and massive amounts of data are now available about consumer behavior, consumers expect their providers to know them and help them achieve their goals,” the authors of the Modern Engagement Journey wrote. “We hope this information will help stakeholders hear the voices of consumers in all their diversity.”

Across five videos and a topline report, consumers from the United States and Canada showcased an increasing interest in smart, energy-related products and technologies, and only seemed to be gaining more interest after initial purchases. These gateway purchases trended toward smart speakers, but an important moment for the switch to smart tech often tended to be moving. Nowadays, the report found, these same consumers often ranked energy efficiency and smart capabilities alike as important factors to consider for appliance upgrades, because saving electricity is now at the top of people’s minds.

Yet the Modern Engagement Journey showed that consumers were not without concerns, either. They often struggled with assessing the cost-saving potential of various programs, and craved transparency on such savings offers from their electricity providers. A portion of consumers also feared smart technology would bring them a loss of control, and little perceived change in terms of cost.

COVID-19 has also changed certain perspectives, leaving some to note that larger technology investments are now on hold for the foreseeable future. Most consumers have not made significant changes to their habits as a result of the pandemic, though.