According to Research and Market, the smart home appliance market is projected to reach $38.35 billion by 2020, but a recent report released by NWP Services Corp. reveals the gap between knowing about these products and using them in the real world.

The National Smart Home Survey was conducted utilizing the input of 1,028 people across the United States. Participants were asked questions regarding their awareness with regards to smart home technology, as well as use and preference. The results reflect the differences in interest when age and gender were taken into consideration.

The results of the survey are as follows:

General awareness

According to the survey, 82 percent of the respondents have heard of smart home technology, but only 10.7 percent own smart home devices themselves. About 18.71 percent have heard of and tried smart home devices, while a huge chunk of the respondents, 53.50 percent, have some idea of what smart home devices are. As for those clueless about smart home tech, that makes up 17.08 percent of the total number of respondents.

Gender

When gender is considered, the survey revealed that more men use smart home devices compared to women. According to the survey, 54.92 percent of men have heard about smart home devices, while only 53.89 percent of women admit that they have some idea of what smart home devices are. More men have tried smart home devices (19.88 percent), and own smart home devices (11.89 percent), while only 16.85 percent of women have tried these smart home devices, and only 9.63 percent. For those who haven’t heard about smarthome technology, the percentage is higher for women at 19.64 percent and only 13.32 percent for men.

Though men are more interested in smart home devices, women give more value to devices that offer security over those that offer convenience, while those devices offering conservation & savings rank lower in priority. For men, they are more interested in the convenience offered by these connected devices over safety and conservation & savings.

Age

Awareness and interest also vary on how old the person is. The survey group was divided into the following age groups: 18-29 with 284 respondents, 30-44 with 339, 45-59 with 352, and 60+ with 53 respondents only. Surprisingly, survey revealed that 20.42 percent of the youngest age group, 18-29, have no idea what smart home technology is. That number decreases as you go up the age group – 15.93 percent for 30-44, 15.06 percent for 45-59, and 11.32 percent for the 60+ age group.

While the older generations may be more aware of smart home tech, they’re less anxious to try it out. For respondents who have an idea of what smart home technology is, but have not tried or own one, 60.23 percent belong to the 45-59 age group. For those who have tried but do not own one, 20.65 percent belong to the 30-44 age group, and for those that own a smart home product, 15.09 percent belong to the 60+ age group.

This survey shows that though younger age groups show interest in smart home products, the older generation are more likely to actually make a purchase. Surprisingly, 20.42 percent of the 18-29 age group, the group which showed the least awareness for smart home technology, stated that they are willing to pay a monthly $75 fee to have connected devices in their homes or apartments.

When it comes to choosing between safety, convenience, conservation & savings, those under the age of 30 are more interested in the conservation and savings feature of smart home devices. The age group of 30-44 find convenience their top priority when looking for smart home devices, 45-59 value security more, and those over 60 value safety & security equal with convenience. In all age groups except the youngest, conservation & savings rank the lowest.

The most popular device

There are various smart home devices available in the market today such as smart thermostats, security cameras, plugs, outlets, locks, doorbells, garage doors, switches, light bulbs and more. But according to the survey, the smart thermostat is the most popular smart home device, with 37.7 percent naming at as the most advanced product in their home.

This is followed by motion sensors 14.5 percent, light switches at 9.9, garage doors at 7.8, smart outlets at 6.8, window sensors 6.5, locks, 5.5, heat sensors 3.9, moisture sensors 3.6, HVAC monitors 2.3, and smart showers at 1.6 percent.

Though the most popular device is the smart thermostat, most respondents are more interested in the safety features offered by these connected devices compared to convenience and conservation & savings. Four hundred and twenty-four respondents stated that they are most interested in devices that safeguards against fires, floods, and even burglaries.

Region

The part of the U.S. where a respondent resides in also plays a factor in the person’s awareness when it comes to smart home technology.

According to the survey, people from the West, Midwest, South and Northeast almost equally have some awareness with regards to this type of technology, representing 54, 57, 54 and 54 percent, respectively. But when it comes to smart home adoption, Southerners lead the pact at 13 percent, while Westerners who have tried but not owned smart home tech tops the chart at 20 percent.

As for the regions that have the least knowledge regarding smart home devices, the West and Northeast are tied at 19 percent. Southerners are also the most willing to pay a monthly fee of $75 for a smart home service.

Photo credit: Mobile TV in House via photopin (license)