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Smart home technologies in Europe: a critical review of concepts, benefits, risks and policies

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 19:56 authored by Benjamin SovacoolBenjamin Sovacool, Dylan B Furszyfer Del Rio
Smart home technologies refer to devices that provide some degree of digitally connected, automated, or enhanced services to building occupants. Smart homes have become central in recent technology and policy discussions about energy efficiency, climate change, and the sustainability of buildings. Nevertheless, do they truly promote sustainability goals? In addition, what sorts of benefits, risks, and policies do they entail? Based on an extensive original dataset involving expert interviews, site visits to retailers, and a comprehensive review of the literature, this study critically examines the promise and peril of smart home technologies. Drawing on original data collected in the United Kingdom, which has access to European markets, the study first examines definitions of smart homes before offering a new classification involving 13 categories of smart technology covering 267 specific options commercially available from 113 companies. It situates these different technology classes alongside six degrees or levels of smartness, from the basic or traditional home to the fully automated and sentient home. It then elaborates on the 13 distinct benefits smart homes offer alongside 17 risks and barriers, before introducing seven policy recommendations from the material. It lastly suggests three areas of future research on the demographics and practices of actual smart home adopters, rethinking the duality of “control,” and looking beyond “homes” towards socio-technical systems, practices, and justice.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews

ISSN

1364-0321

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

120

Article number

a109663

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-12-12

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-12-12

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-12-11

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