What is the impact of smart home technologies on energy consumption and residential sustainability?

Introduction

Smart home technologies (SHTs) have emerged as a promising solution to manage and reduce energy consumption in residential settings. These technologies include smart appliances, energy management systems, and the integration of renewable energy sources. The impact of SHTs on energy consumption and residential sustainability is a topic of significant interest, as it holds potential implications for carbon emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.

Key Insights

Energy Efficiency and Consumption Reduction
- Smart home technologies can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption, with studies showing up to a 20% decrease after IoT implementation. Smart appliances and energy management systems enable data-driven decision-making, which can incentivize energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions .
- The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar PV and energy storage in smart homes can achieve substantial energy savings, particularly in summer months, and increase the consumption of localized green energy.
Behavioral and Economic Impacts
- Smart home technologies can influence individual consumption patterns by making users more aware of their energy usage through visual analytics and incentivizing savings. Flexible energy tariffs and demand-side management can also enhance energy efficiency and consumer acceptance of smart technologies.
- However, there is a potential rebound effect (RE) where increased efficiency may lead to higher overall energy consumption due to behavioral changes. This effect is more pronounced when economic signals rather than environmental signals drive energy management.
Challenges and Limitations
- Despite the potential benefits, smart home technologies may reinforce unsustainable energy consumption patterns and are not easily accessible to vulnerable consumers, thus doing little to alleviate energy poverty.
- Concerns over data privacy and security remain significant challenges, necessitating robust safeguards to ensure user trust and acceptance .
Sustainability and Renewable Integration
- Smart technologies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable consumption by integrating renewable energy systems and enabling efficient energy conversion . They support the transition to a low-carbon economy by reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption.

Conclusion

Smart home technologies have the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and promote residential sustainability through enhanced energy efficiency, behavioral changes, and the integration of renewable energy sources. However, challenges such as the rebound effect, accessibility for vulnerable populations, and data privacy concerns must be addressed to fully realize their benefits. Collaborative efforts among researchers, engineers, and policymakers are essential to overcome these challenges and harness the full potential of smart home technologies for a sustainable future.

What is the impact of smart home technologies on energy consumption and residential sustainability?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Smart home technologies in everyday life: do they address key energy challenges in households?

Smart home technologies may reinforce unsustainable energy consumption patterns and do little to help the 'energy poor' secure adequate and affordable access to energy at home.

Impacts of Digital Technologies for the Provision of Energy Market Services on the Safety of Residents and Consumers

Smart home technologies and flexible energy demand increase safety and energy efficiency in households, with age, positive attitudes, and willingness to accept smart home technology positively correlated with acceptance.

Impact of Distributed Energy Resources in Smart Homes and Community-Based Electricity Market

Smart homes with solar PV and energy storage under a community-based electricity market can achieve maximum savings of 50% and 36.6%, while boosting localized green energy consumption by 31% in the summer.

Should we fear the rebound effect in smart homes?

Smart homes can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but minimizing the rebound effect is crucial for maximizing their sustainability contribution.

Smart technologies for promotion of energy efficiency, utilization of sustainable resources and waste management

Smart technologies can promote energy efficiency, sustainable resource management, and waste management, leading to a sustainable future.

Social impacts and control in the smart home

Smart home technologies may not significantly reduce home energy use and may have negative social impacts, requiring further research and policy attention.

Sustainable consumption in the smart grid: From key points to eco-routine

Smart technologies can enhance sustainable consumption in the smart grid by reducing power consumption and environmental impact, but a typology framework is needed for consumer communication, producer guidelines, and policy practice.

Effects of smart appliances on residential consumption patterns

Smart appliances can reduce individual energy usage and greenhouse emissions by incentivizing savings and empowering consumers to adopt sustainable behaviors.

Impact of Internet of Things (IoT) on Home Automation and Energy Management

IoT-driven home automation and energy management systems can reduce energy consumption by 20%, increase user satisfaction, and save significant money on energy bills, but data privacy and security concerns must be addressed.

The role of smart technologies in the development of cost-effective and sustainable energy

Smart home technologies, such as smart thermostats and renewable energy integration, significantly reduce energy consumption, cost savings, and improve user experience.

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