Home energy efficiency equipment tops home security and entertainment as the most popular category of home automation technology, according to a new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Forty-seven percent of online U.S. households reported having a programmable (42%) and/or smart (12%) thermostat installed in their homes.
Home security technologies are the seond most popular type of home automation technology, according to CEA’s, “Adoption and Usage of Home Automation Technologies,” report. Thirty-one percent of online U.S. households indicated they have such equipment installed. Nearly 20% of those reported having a monitored security system, more than twice the number of homes with unmonitored security systems (8%). Nine percent reported owning a video surveillance system and 6% referenced electronic or programmable door locks.
Entertainment systems were the third most popular automated home technology, according to CEA. Seventeen percent reported having installed home theater pre-wiring or systems and 8% mentioned structured wiring systems.
“The rise in housing starts in 2013 has contributed to a steady increase in the overall outlook for home technology,”Kevin Tillmann, CEA senior research analyst, was quoted in a press release. “Products that can offer energy efficiency are leading the home automation technology market, with the ability to save money serving as a key motivator for purchases.”
There’s a “sizable market opportunity for energy efficiency products,” according to the CEA. Sixty-one percent of online households said they expect to purchase energy efficiency home automation technology “at some point in the future, followed by security technology (51%) and entertainment technology (40%).”
Online U.S. households prefer to hire professionals to install whatever category of home automation equipment, though respondents indicated a stronger preference for DIY installation for products including programmable thermostats (37%), smart thermostats (30%) and home theater pre-wiring (29%).
“DIY solutions have become the norm for parts of the home automation sector,” Tillmann commented. “DIY embraces both innovation and consumer empowerment while decreasing dependence on new construction and expands the addressable market to existing homes.”
Well its effectiveness was indeed proven which made it popular at all. This days having a Home Automation technology is a must as we don't know what awaits us in future.