Smart Thermostats Opportunities for Energy Savings Jackie Berger
Smart Thermostats Opportunities for Energy Savings Jackie Berger HPC National Home Performance Conference March 21, 2017
Overview Research Motivation Survey Methodology Demographic Characteristics Current Thermostat Characteristics Thermostat Programming Behavior Thermostat Setback Behavior Potential Smart Thermostat Use 2
RESEARCH MOTIVATION 3
Research Motivation Interest in “Smart Home” Smart thermostats are becoming more common in utility energy efficiency offerings ACEEE review found savings of 8%-15% of heating and cooling usage 4
Research Motivation Hypothesis: • Type of thermostat in use savings • Programmable from Smart • Manual Thermostats • Setback practices will be • Demographics – elderly or less technology advanced affected by 5
Research Motivation Which households will benefit from smart thermostats? What are the savings opportunities? 6
Research Motivation What is the smart thermostat penetration rate? Do smart thermostat owners use remote features? What is the programmable thermostat penetration rate? Are programmable thermostats programmed for setback when away or asleep? Do manual thermostat owners consistently practice manual setback? What is the predicted use of smart thermostats? 7
SURVEY METHODOLOGY 8
Methodology • APPRISE partnered with two natural gas utilities in the northeast • Each utility randomly selected residential customers • Advance letter sent to 1, 600 customers • Surveys conducted from January-March 2016 9
Methodology Utility 1 Utility 2 Total Completes 217 168 385 Cooperation Rate 50% 46% 48% Response Rate 30% 27% 29% 10
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 11
Home Ownership Own Rent 100% 90% 87% 80% 71% 70% 60% 50% 40% 29% 30% 20% 19% 12% 10% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 12
Heating Fuel Gas 100% 96% Electric Other 94% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 1% 3% 4% 6% 2% 4% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 13
Computer Use Multiple Times a Day Once a Week Less Frequently 100% 90% 80% 70% 63% 56% 60% 48% 50% 40% 32% 30% 20% 15% 10% 11% 13% 14% 6% 20% 8% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 14
Wi-Fi and Smart Phone Wi-Fi Smart Phone Both 100% 90% 82% 80% 76% 78% 80% 73% 81% 80% 74% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 15
Technology by Income Level Use Computer 1+/Day 93% 100% 84% 90% 84% Smart Phone 92% 97% 98% 67% 69% 70% 60% Wi-Fi 51% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% <$50, 000 -$100, 000 >$100, 000 Annual household income 16
Setback Opportunity Home Regularly Unoccupied 100% 90% 80% 70% 63% 57% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 17
CURRENT THERMOSTAT CHARACTERISTICS 18
Number of Thermostats One 100% Two Three or More 92% 90% 82% 75% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 15% 9% 5% 2% 11% 6% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 19
Same Thermostat Controls Air Conditioning 100% 90% 80% 70% 62% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 20
Programmable Thermostat And Remote Sensor Programmable Thermostat Remote Sensor 100% 90% 80% 70% 67% 56% 60% 50% 42% 40% 30% 20% 10% 3% 3% Utility 1 Utility 2 3% 0% Total 21
Programmable Thermostat By Income 100% 90% 80% 72% 70% 62% 60% 50% 40% 39% 30% 20% 10% 0% <$50, 000 -$100, 000 >$100, 000 Annual Household Income 22
Smart Thermostat Features Wi-Fi Connected Humidity/Weather Sensing Learns Preferences & Senses Occupancy 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 5% 7% 3% 2% 7% 2% 4% 7% 3% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 23
Thermostat Type Manual Programmable/ No Smart Features Programmable/ Smart Features 100% 90% 80% 70% 62% 58% 60% 50% 44% 38% 33% 51% 30% 20% 10% 6% 5% 4% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 24
Satisfaction with Current Thermostat Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Very or Somewhat Dissatisfied 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 54% 45% 50% 40% 35% 50% 39% 37% 30% 20% 10% 14% 12% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 25
THERMOSTAT PROGRAMMING BEHAVIORS 26
Thermostat is Programmed With Programmable Thermostat All 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 53% 49% 50% 33% 30% 22% 28% 20% 10% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total 27
Thermostat is Programmed By Income 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 47% 50% 40% 27% 30% 20% 17% 10% 0% <$50, 000 -$100, 000 >$100, 000 Annual Household Income 28
Manually Adjust Thermostat At Least Once per Week Once per Day or More Once per Week 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 38% 31% 20% 11% 33% 18% 10% 0% Utility 1 Utility 2 Total Includes those whose thermostat is programmed. 29
THERMOSTAT SETBACK BEHAVIORS 30
Heating Setback Do you adjust the heat to a cooler temperature… When everyone is asleep at night in the winter? During the day if everyone is at work or school in the winter? Manual Programmable Not Programmed Programmable Total Observations 169 108 385 Night 54% 60% 95% 67% Away from Home 53% 49% 83% 61% 31
Heating Setbacks By Income At Night Away from Home 100% 90% 77% 80% 66% 70% 60% 56% 66% 72% 53% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% <$50, 000 -$100, 000 >$100, 000 32
Cooling Setback Do you adjust the air conditioning to a warmer temperature… When everyone is asleep at night in the summer? During the day if everyone is at work or school in the summer? Manual Programmable Not Programmed Programmable Total 53 76 68 197 Night 53% 37% 69% 52% Away from Home 60% 39% 79% 59% Observations Includes those whose thermostat also controls air conditioning. 33
Cooling Setbacks By Income At Night Away from Home 100% 90% 80% 70% 62% 60% 50% 45% 48% 63% 70% 46% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% <$50, 000 -$100, 000 >$100, 000 34
POTENTIAL SMART THERMOSTAT USE 35
Predicted Frequency Remote Temperature Change 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 7% 12% 18% 9% 0% More than Once Per Day Every Week Every Month 36
Predicted Frequency Remote Temperature Change At Least Once Per Day Once Per Week 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 25% 15% 21% 23% 27% 24% 10% 0% <$50, 000 -$100, 000 >$100, 000 37
Reasons for Remote Temperature Change 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 22% 19% 9% 9% 6% 4% Weather Away from Increase Temp On the Forget to Home Comfort Change in Way Home Adjust from Schedule Temp Another Before Room Leave Home 38
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 39
Demographics Technological Aptitude • 70% use computers once or more pre day Existing Equipment • 74% had both wi-fi and smart phone/tablet Behaviors • 57% had regular times of day when no one was home • But several had pets in the home at all times 40
Current Thermostat Manual Thermostat • 44% had a manual thermostat Smart Features • 5% had smart features Thermostat Satisfaction • 37% only somewhat satisfied with current thermostat • 12% somewhat or very dissatisfied 41
Smart Thermostat Potential Programmed Thermostat • 28% had a thermostat that is currently programmed Setbacks • 95% with programmed thermostat set heat back at night • 56% with manual or unprogrammed thermostat set heat back at night Potential Smart Thermostat Use • 19% said they would remotely change temp at least 1/day • 37% said they would remotely change temp at least 1/week 42
Low-Income Potential Programmable Thermostat • 17% with income <$50, 000 had thermostat programmed • 47% with income >$100, 000 had thermostat programmed Technology Use and Ownership • 51% below $50, 000 use computer once or more per day • 67% have Wi-Fi • 69% have smart phone or tablet Potential Smart Thermostat Use • 25% with income <$50, 000 would remotely change temp at least 1/day • 27% with income >$100, 000 would remotely change temp at least 1/day 43
Contact Jackie Berger APPRISE 32 Nassau Street, Suite 200 Princeton, NJ 08540 609 -252 -8009 jackie-berger@appriseinc. org www. appriseinc. org 44
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