Making homes more energy efficient is the most popular home improvement action according to 86% of consumers in a new survey by Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation. Other energy-related home improvements also ranked highly, with energy security coming second (83%), closely followed by cooling (79%) and energy independence (78%).

According to the findings of this annual survey, the impact of the recent global energy crisis on prices has prompted a surge in energy-saving behavior across households. 75% of respondents said they reduced energy use during the winter of 2022–2023, with 72% of those doing so to lower energy bills, while one third did it to reduce carbon emissions.

The survey, which polled over 9,000 consumers in Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, also asked how consumers reduced energy use over the past 12 months. 45% said they had switched to LED light bulbs, 24% said they had begun measuring energy use at home and 16% had installed a smart thermostat. The increased popularity of smart home solutions, such as Schneider Electric’s Home Energy Management Solutions, to automate and control energy production, storage and costs in homes, is also changing people’s perceptions about achieving net-zero.

“What has been re-iterated is that behaviour change has long been instrumental in reducing energy bills, and carbon emissions. It’s encouraging to see consumers worldwide making lifestyle adjustments and home improvements that bring both individual and society-wide benefits. Schneider Electric will continue to invest in home energy management solutions that allow households worldwide to achieve this”, said Michael Lotfy Gierges, Executive Vice President of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric.