HOMEOWNERS are increasingly aware of the need to reduce energy consumption and curb their carbon footprint, but a new report from Schneider Electric reveals that many are still failing to take full advantage of the technology available to them.

The global leader in energy management and automation released the third edition of its consumer survey yesterday, offering new insights into attitudes toward home energy efficiency, sustainability, and the adoption of smart home technology.

The study, titled ‘Evolving Home Energy Consumption: Intentions, Actions, and Hurdles to Greater Home Energy Efficiency’, surveyed 13,000 participants from 11 countries and exposed a significant gap between awareness and action in home energy practices.

According to the findings, 82percent of respondents consider energy efficiency "somewhat important" or "very important," and 70percent are concerned about reducing their carbon footprint. Yet, the report highlights a stark disconnect when it comes to translating intentions into impactful actions.

While 84percent of those surveyed named energy efficiency as their top desired home improvement, just 44percent actively adjust their ambient temperatures—one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption. Instead, many homeowners opt for less effective measures, such as turning off lights (58percent) or unplugging unused chargers (48percent), which offer minimal savings.

In fact, lighting accounts for only about 5percent of household energy bills, and unplugging chargers saves just 26 cents annually per device.

This underutilization of available technology is not limited to everyday actions. Smart home technologies that can help reduce energy costs are not being adopted at scale, despite widespread awareness of their benefits.

For example, while 52percent of consumers believe that smart lighting enhances energy efficiency, only 24percent actually own smart lighting.

Even fewer—just 21percent—have a smart thermostat, a device proven to cut energy bills by up to 30percent. A further 46% of homeowners don't even recognize the full energy-saving potential of smart thermostats.

The survey also points to reluctance around emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Despite experts predicting that AI could help mitigate up to 10percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, 44percent of respondents said they would never rely on AI for household tasks.

 Additionally, 52percent of consumers cited cost as a barrier to adopting smart home technology, even though connected homes can reduce energy consumption by up to 22percent.

“The gap between intention and action is clear,” said Michael Lotfy Gierges, Executive Vice President of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric. “While consumers express a strong desire to reduce their energy bills and increase efficiency, many are unaware of the most impactful solutions. There are existing technologies that can help, but education is key to unlocking their potential.”

Further complicating the issue, the survey uncovered a lack of understanding around more traditional home technology. Around 30percent of respondents admitted they didn’t know what their electrical panel does, and 16percent didn’t know its location.

Given that the electrical panel is crucial for maintaining a safe and efficient power system in the home, this knowledge gap could pose serious safety risks as homes become more electrified.

The findings suggest that, despite the growing urgency to tackle rising energy costs and climate change, homeowners are not yet fully equipped to take advantage of the tools that could make a difference.

With better education and awareness, Schneider Electric believes that more homeowners can harness digital tools to reduce both their energy consumption and carbon footprints, contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective future.