Home Energy Management Slow but Growing

According to Pike Research, despite slow uptake to date, the number of subscribers to home energy management services from broadband service providers in North America will grow steadily through the end of this decade, reaching nearly 900,000 by the end of 2020. According to a recent Pike survey, 63% of U.S. consumers say they are interested in home energy management, but most are not aware that broadband service providers offer it.Other barriers to home energy management adoption include the relatively high cost of HEM hardware, in addition to recurring service fees; contracts that require multi-year commitments; uncertain returns on investment for consumers; energy costs that, for the moment, are relatively low and stable; a lack of technology standards; a crowded, confusing market; and lukewarm utility support.