Parks Associates Releases State of Home Energy Management Report and Hosts Smart Energy Summit Session

17% of US internet households own a smart thermostat, and 17% have a heat pump, highlighting opportunities for utilities and energy providers to expand home energy management services

PLANO, Texas, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates' 2026 State of Home Energy Management (S.H.E.M.) report shows 17% of US internet households own a smart thermostat and 17% report having a heat pump. These low adoption numbers highlight areas for growth and opportunities for utilities, manufacturers, and service providers to better connect household energy systems with programs that reduce costs and support the electric grid.

The research firm's data also finds that only 17% of smart thermostat owners participate in demand response (DR) programs. Parks Associates analysts will discuss these findings and strategies to expand the smart energy market during the upcoming virtual Smart Energy Summit session "Is a Smart Home Really Smart Without Energy Management?", sponsored by Carrier Energy, on Thursday, October 29, at 12:00 PM CT.

Smart thermostat adoption is low, but 87% of smart thermostat owners report energy savings that met or exceeded expectations, suggesting that consumers will recognize the benefits from energy management solutions provided they are encouraged to overcome the initial adoption barriers.

"Smart thermostats have demonstrated their value to consumers, but participation in utility energy programs remains limited," said Daniel Holcomb, Senior Analyst, Smart Home Research, Parks Associates. "Making these products integrated and affordable will spur adoption, and utilities, manufacturers, and solution providers can increase participation in energy-saving programs using these devices by making their programs easier for consumers to understand and enroll in."

The October 29 webinar will examine the growing role of HVAC systems, battery storage, solar, EVs, and other distributed energy resources (DERs) in creating more energy-intelligent homes. HVAC represents the largest energy load in many households, making connected heating and cooling systems important assets for managing consumption, improving efficiency, and supporting DR programs.

Moderated by Holcomb, the webinar features:

• Olivier Bernard, Worldwide Go-To-Market Leader, IoT Services, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Mabell Garcia Paine, West Coast Business Development and Sales Leader, Carrier Energy
• Stacy Phillips, Managing Director of Customer Load Management, Duke Energy

The S.H.E.M. report, sponsored by SkyBell; Carrier; Johnson Controls; Silicon Labs; Vivint, an NRG company; and Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC), examines consumer adoption of connected energy technologies, barriers to utility program participation, and opportunities for AI and automation to improve household energy management.

Register for the October 29 Smart Energy Summit virtual session. For questions or to request data, contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein.

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates helps companies identify new opportunities, refine strategy, and accelerate growth in connected technology markets through data-driven insights and industry expertise. With more than 40 years of experience, the firm delivers proprietary consumer and industry research, market forecasts, and strategic analysis that guide business decisions across personal, connected home, small business, and commercial technology ecosystems. Parks Associates supports clients in navigating evolving markets including AI, security, smart home, broadband, entertainment, energy, multifamily, smart buildings, and connected health.

The firm also fosters industry growth and collaboration by convening thousands of leaders each year through its flagship executive conferences, including CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. Learn more at https://www.parksassociates.com.

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Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein
Parks Associates
972.490.1113
[email protected] 

SOURCE Parks Associates