Technological Trends Driving Utility Residential Energy Efficiency Program Savings

Abstract

In 2023, with increasingly broad adoption of conventional utility energy efficiency programs such as rebates or customer incentives on water heaters, furnaces, and home insulation levels, new and next-generation energy efficiency programs will likely involve increasingly connected devices and technological interventions. This article identifies four technological trends driving utility residential energy efficiency programs for the future. These trends include: (1) home energy reports (or comparative usage efficiency reports); (2) connected reinforced programs including utility pledge programs and demand response programs; (3) smart thermostats; and (4) smart lighting. This article indicates that ultimately, greater convergence around technology is likely to persist given utility investment in Automated Meter Integration (AMI) systems and broader customer-driven technological adoption. Ultimately, this article advocates for continued broad-based adoption of these programs to save energy and mitigate the impacts of climate change.