Consumer Energy-Efficiency Efforts Growing: Roughly 50% of U.S. Broadband Households Own a Programmable Thermostat

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Jan 15, 2014) - New smart energy research from Parks Associates shows U.S. broadband households are adopting energy-saving solutions that could be the foundation for future smart home services and the Internet of Things:

Roughly 50% own a programmable thermostat, and 11% have a thermostat that can connect to the Internet
Roughly 20% own an electric or natural gas vehicle
Roughly 20% own smart lighting or door lock equipment

"CES 2014 had many Internet-connected appliances on display that will contribute to the Internet of Things, and Parks Associates research shows growing consumer interest in these energy-saving solutions," said Tom Kerber, director, research, Home Controls and Energy, Parks Associates. "Smart Energy Summit next month will bring together the biggest names in the industries, including keynotes from Nest, Comcast, Austin Energy, and ecobee, to discuss this growing consumer demand and business solutions for utilities, service providers, retailers, and manufacturers."

The fifth-annual Smart Energy Summit will be held February 17-19, 2014, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. Keynotes:

Erik Charlton, VP of Business, Nest
Bill Horrocks, VP, Product Management - Xfinity Home, Comcast
Debbie Kimberly, VP of Distributed Energy Services, Austin Energy
Stuart Lombard, President and CEO, ecobee

"I'm looking forward to participating in the Smart Energy Summit," said Bill Horrocks, VP, Product Management - Xfinity Home, Comcast. "The home control market is growing tremendously, and it's being driven by innovative technology, affordability and consumer demand. We are continuing to enhance our Xfinity Home platform so we can give our customers more ways to intelligently manage their homes."

Smart Energy Summit is sponsored by Speed Wire, Alarm.com, Earth Networks - WeatherBug, ecobee, EcoFactor, Lowe's, People Power, Percepscion, PlanetEcosystems, Qualcomm, Z-Wave, AlertMe, Schneider Electric, and Technicolor. Speakers include:

Scott Burns, Director, Product Innovation, Reliant
Seth Frader-Thompson, President, EnergyHub
Denis Garman, Category Leader, Energy Management & Information Group, Duke Energy
Krishan Gupta, Director Product Management, eMeter, A Siemens Business
Fabrice Hoerner, Technical Marketing, Sr. Manager, Qualcomm
Joe Jankosky, Director, Intelligent Home Vertical Markets, Time Warner Cable
V. Rory Jones, President, PlanetEcosystems
Dave Kaintz, Manager of Programs and Projects, SCE
Jay Kenny, VP, Marketing, Alarm.com
Yann Kulp, VP, Strategy and Business Development, EcoBusiness North America, Schneider Electric
Letha McLaren, VP, Product Management, iControl Networks
Kevin Meagher, VP, GM, Smart Home, Lowe's
Jennifer Pulliam, Director, Innovation, TXU
Ted Reguly, Director, San Diego Gas and Electric
Edwin Reyes, Director-Utility Markets, SW Region, Comverge
Bill Scheffler, Director, NA Sales and Business Development, Z-Wave/Sigma Designs
Ken Wacks, Management & Engineering Consultant, Gridwise Architecture Council, U.S. Department of Energy
Gene Wang, CEO, People Power

About Smart Energy Summit

Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer examines the expanding market for energy solutions and home controls and its impact on utilities, service providers, retailers, manufacturers, and consumers. Smart Energy Summit will take place February 17-19 in Austin, Texas. www.ses2014.com