Homeowners say they care about energy efficiency but their actions tell a different story.
A new report from Schneider Electric reveals that while 70% of people want to reduce their carbon footprint, many are relying on small, low-impact habits instead of real energy-saving solutions.
Turning off lights?
It’s the most popular tactic, yet it only accounts for 5% of an average energy bill.
Meanwhile, only 44% of people adjust their home temperature, even though heating and cooling make up more than half of household energy use.
Schneider Electric’s Evolving Home Energy Consumption report surveyed 13,000 people across 11 countries and found a major gap between awareness and action.
“Consumers want to reduce their energy bill, increase their energy reliability and increase energy efficiency in their homes. Yet, there exists a gap between intention and action,” said Michael Lotfy Gierges, Executive Vice President of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric.
Smart home tech could help slash bills but adoption remains low. While 24% own smart lighting, only 21% use a smart thermostat—even though it could cut costs by up to 30% a year.
AI and automation could reduce global emissions by 10%, yet 44% of respondents say they’d never trust AI for household tasks.
Surprisingly, many homeowners don’t even understand their basic electrical systems. Nearly a third don’t know what their fusebox does and 16% don’t even know where it is!
That’s a problem as homes become more electrified.
The tech to reduce energy costs exists. Homeowners just aren’t using it. If that doesn’t change, people will keep overpaying on energy while missing out on serious savings.
