DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Feb 17, 2015) - Parks Associates announced new research today at Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer showing 33% of U.S. broadband households are interested in bundling HVAC maintenance services with their electricity services. Twenty-seven percent would bundle Internet and electricity services.

"Over 50% of U.S. broadband households are willing to pay for a bundle of energy monitoring services, but many utilities are giving them away," said Tom Kerber, Director of Home Controls and Energy Research, Parks Associates. "At Smart Energy Summit, we are examining key factors for success, including consumer motivations for adoption and usage of smart home products and energy programs as well as the value propositions that will engage a larger share of energy users."

Parks Associates is hosting Smart Energy Summit in Austin, Texas, February 16-18. The firm's 360 View: Energy Management, Smart Home, and Utility Programs also reports 20% of U.S. broadband households are very interested in utility financing of energy-efficient products, which could help motivate them to replace aging and inefficient products.

"As more consumers subscribe to smart home services, they begin to realize there are other things they can easily add to the system, like thermostats," said Barry Haaser, Managing Director, OpenADR Alliance; President, Lakeview Group. "Likewise, for those purchasing smart thermostats, they will tap into the ecosystem supporting that particular platform and purchase other smart products. We are already seeing impressive sales of smart thermostats, so we know that consumers are willing to spend more for smart products. Smart Energy Summit offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the next wave of smart products, including multiprotocol gateways that will allow use of different brands and technologies together in a single, unified system."

Smart Energy Summit is hosting over 250 executives from utilities, service providers, retailers, manufacturers, and technology companies. During the event, Parks Associates will present research and strategic insight based on the firm's detailed consumer segmentation used to understand current and future adopters of smart home products and services.

"Right now, consumers under 35 years old who own their home are a key segment to target for emerging smart home products and services. Many already own a smart home product, and they have a strong desire for comfort and convenience," Kerber said.

Smart Energy Summit keynotes include NRG Energy and SunPower Corp., as well as a special fireside chat with ecobee and SmartThings.

Smart Energy Summit sponsors are Smart Utility Systems, Lowe's, Alarm.com, ecobee, Emerson, NRG, PeoplePower, Planet Ecosystems, Southern California Edison, Tendril, Tyco, WeatherBug Home, WSI, the professional division of The Weather Company, Z-Wave, Ecofactor, and WattzOn. Supporters are Antenna Systems & Technology, CleanTX, Engerati, FierceEnergy, Home Gateway Initiative, HomePlug Alliance, IoT Today, KNXtoday, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, OpenADR Alliance, OSGP Alliance, Remote Site & Equipment Management, SmartGridNews, U-SNAP Alliance, UPnP Forum, Utility Dive, Wi-Fi Alliance, and WSNBuzz.com.

More information on Parks Associates' consumer segmentation research and Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer is available at www.ses2015.com. To speak with an analyst or request specific research data, please contact Holly Sprague, 720-987-6614.

About Smart Energy Summit
Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer examines the expanding market for the smart home and the role of energy solutions within the Internet of Things, including connected devices, energy management, utility services, and home control platforms and services.

Smart Energy Summit addresses strategies for utilities, service providers, retailers, and manufacturers to expand and monetize their energy offerings by engaging consumers, developing new business models, and creating unique partnerships.

The summit agenda features thought leaders representing utilities, state and national regulators, telecom and security companies, retailers, and OEMs presenting on the state of the market and the emerging consumer and business opportunities.

Follow the event on Twitter at @SmartEnergySmt and on the Smart Energy Insights Blog. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.ses2015.com.