Utility Week

22 | 7TH - 13TH DECEMBER 2018 | UTILITY WEEK Operations & Assets Analysis I nterest in smart technology is on the rise, and it is being driven, in part, by the uptake of smart meters. The results of a survey carried out by Harris Interactive on behalf of Utility Week reveal that smart meter ownership is driving interest in general smart technology. However, a lack of knowl- edge about, and the high cost of, smart and low-carbon technologies are increasingly becoming barriers to adoption. Smart meters Of those who own a smart meter, seven in ten own a smart energy meter only. This is a slight increase on previous surveys carried out by Harris Interactive. Meanwhile, 18 per cent own both a smart energy and a smart water meter. And levels of interest in smart water meters are rising rapidly. Just under two-thirds (63 per cent) of those without a smart water meter would be interested in get- ting one, up from 46 per cent in June. The biggest drivers for getting a smart energy meter continues to be saving money and convenience. Meanwhile, the belief that having such a meter is "good for the environ- ment" jumped in November's survey and is now the third most important motivation for smart meter take-up. The main reason for not getting a smart meter continues to be the belief that it will not make a difference. A quarter of respond- ents list this as a reason. Other reservations are that they do not know enough about smart meters and issues with privacy. The importance of these two factors has risen since the previous survey was carried out. Smart home technology Interest in smart home technology has increased. A third (31 per cent) of respond- ents said they were either "extremely" or "very" interested, compared with 26 per cent who expressed interest when the previous survey was carried out in June. However, this figure is still less than the 43 per cent who said they were interested when the survey was carried out in November 2017. This interest appears to be being driven largely by uptake of smart meters, with more than half of respondents (52 per cent) who own a smart meter saying they are "inter- ested" in smart technologies. This is quite a leap from the 39 per cent who answered "yes" to the same question in June. A whopping 79 per cent of 25 to 34-year- olds who have a smart meter said they were interested in smart tech. Meanwhile, just 31 per cent of those 55 years old and above said they were interested. This would suggest the cliché that millennials are more interested in technology and innovation is true. The smart energy devices asked about in the survey were Nest and Hive thermostats and smart meters. Among these, the main barriers to adoption are cost and perceived lack of need. Fear of the unknown is now also a significant barrier. For those who don't have one of these devices, a decrease in price and, for smart meters especially, free installation, and sav- ings would be the main factors that would encourage them to get one. The fact that the meter and installation is already free – albeit paid for via energy bills – suggests that, despite this being prominent in supplier communications, the message is not cutting through with consumers. Encour- agingly, fewer people are saying that nothing Smart homes appearing on the radar Consumer awareness of smart technology is increasing, but many people still assume you have to pay for a smart meter to be installed. Utility Week investigates. 70% 4% 18% 8% Smart energy meter only Smart water meter only Both Don't know/ Neither (W2: 68%) (W2: 5%) (W2: 15%) (W2: 12%) 63% Would be interested 37% Would not be interested 25 -34 yrs: 83% 55 yrs +: 49% Lorem ipsum 26% 30% 12% 22% 17% 16% 12% 13% 13% 6% 8% 6% 6% 5% 3% 19% 39% 36% 29% 28% 24% 23% 19% 16% 14% 11% 10% 10% 9% 9% 5% 7% MQ13 What were your main motivations for getting the Smart Meter technology? Base: All who own a Smart Meter The biggest driver for getting a smart meter continues to be saving money and convenience . Being good for the environment sees a large jump this wave and is now the third most important motivation smart meter take up . Previous survey ATTITUDES TO SMART TECHNOLOGY continued on page 24 Seven in ten respondents with a smart meter own a smart energy meter only, a slight increase on previous surveys, while 19% own both a smart energy and smart water meter. Level of interest in getting a smart water meter among those who do not currently have one installed has increased considerably since the last survey. SMART METER OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN A WATER SMART METER INTEREST IN A WATER SMART METER Would you be interested in getting a smart water meter in the future? Base: All who do not own a smart water meter (n=964) What were your main motivations for getting the smart meter technology? Base: All who own a smart meter (n=332) Do you have a smart energy or smart water meter installed at your property? Base: All who own a Smart Meter (n=332) It is convenient Save money in the long run It is good for the environment It makes my life easier It's a necessity nowadays More in control of my life It makes my life more organised It will save me time in the long run It was recommended to me It makes me feel more secure It is cool I saw other people using this It frees up time to do other things I like to be first to have new things It will help me live longer Other

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