Parks Associates: 44% of U.S. broadband households interested in connected appliances with troubleshooting capabilities

Fourth-annual Smart Energy Summit features connected appliance research

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Feb 27, 2013, 10:28 ET

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates announced new connected appliance research today at Smart Energy Summit, showing 44% of U.S. broadband households would allow utilities to manage and monitor their home appliances in order to save money by reducing their energy consumption. The international research firm is hosting the fourth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer on February 25-27 in San Antonio, featuring consumer data, analysis, and insights on the residential energy management markets.

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"Manufacturers are developing connected appliances to stay competitive in a mature market, where connectivity can differentiate products and add value through remote monitoring, enhanced functionality, and energy savings," said Tom Kerber, Director, Research, Home Controls and Energy, Parks Associates. "Appliance manufacturers LG and Samsung have launched Wi-Fi-enabled appliances, and most major manufacturers are launching new connected products in 2013, which will continue to increase consumer awareness and strengthen the value proposition of connected appliances."

Manufacturers have expanded the capabilities of smart appliances beyond energy management to include new features that enhance control and convenience. This market expansion is important in growing the market, as 44% of U.S. broadband households are highly interested in connected appliances with a smart troubleshooting feature to help resolve problems with the appliance.

Chart: http://blast.parksassociates.com/extras/pressreleases/2013/parks-appliance-pr2013.gif

At Smart Energy Summit, Arrayent, DACOR, Genability, Gridwise Architecture Council, and Technicolor address cloud-enabled home controls solutions and consumer drivers for connected devices during the session "The Role of Cloud-based Services and Connected Appliances in Energy Management" on Wednesday, February 27 at 8:45 a.m.

"Our research shows more consumers value remote monitoring of lights over refrigerators or clothes dryers, likely driven by the mistaken belief that lighting accounts for a large portion of their overall energy consumption," said John Barrett, Director, Consumer Analytics, Parks Associates. "The appeal of energy monitoring for appliances could be boosted by educating consumers about appliance energy consumption, which would ultimately provide more savings to consumers."

For information, visit http://www.parksassociates.com or contact [email protected], 972-490-1113.

About Parks Associates
Parks Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital through market reports, primary studies, consumer research, custom research, workshops, and executive conferences. http://www.parksassociates.com

CONTACT:
Holly Sprague
Parks Associates
720.987.6614
[email protected]

SOURCE Parks Associates