Smart Home Technologies and Energy Management
Summary
Smart home technologies encompass a network of connected devices—ranging from intelligent thermostats and lighting controls to appliances and sensors—designed to optimise the use of energy within domestic settings. By integrating real-time data analytics, machine learning and user interfaces, these systems facilitate demand-side management, enabling households to adjust consumption patterns according to dynamic electricity prices, weather forecasts and occupancy behaviour. The convergence of renewable energy sources, battery storage and electric vehicles further enhances the capacity for energy flexibility, allowing homes to act as prosumers in decentralised grids. Beyond direct cost savings, smart home energy management supports carbon reduction targets, improves grid stability and empowers occupants with personalised insights into their consumption. As digitalisation accelerates, the interplay between user acceptance, data security and interoperability remains critical to unlocking the full potential of these technologies on a global scale.
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Smart Home Technologies and Energy Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in smart home technologies and energy management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Demand-side management: Strategies and technologies that enable consumers to adjust their electricity usage in response to supply conditions or price signals.
Energy flexibility: The capacity of a system to adapt its electricity production or consumption in real time, enhancing grid reliability.
Home Energy Management System (HEMS): An integrated platform that monitors and controls household energy devices to optimise efficiency and cost.
Internet of Things (IoT): A network of physical objects embedded with sensors and connectivity, allowing them to collect and exchange data.
Interoperability: The ability of different systems and devices to communicate and operate seamlessly together.
References
- Extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology for sustainable technologies context. International Journal of Information Management (2025).
- Smart energy technology: A survey of adoption by individuals and the enabling potential of the technologies. Technology in Society (2024).
- Responsible smart home technology adoption: exploring public perceptions and key adoption factors. Internet of Things (2025).
- Understanding domestic consumer attitude and behaviour towards energy: A study on the Island of Ireland. Energy Policy (2023).
- Social impact of decarbonization objectives through smart homes: Survey and analysis. Renewable Energy (2024).
- Culture, energy and climate sustainability, and smart home technologies: A mixed methods comparison of four countries. Energy and Climate Change (2021).
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