Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

Helping Consumers Understand the Value of Smart Meters

As cities across the United States continue to introduce smart meters, consumer adoption and satisfaction are keys to making a successful transition to the smart grid. Utilities can help with adoption by implementing time-variant pricing. However, a major barrier to a successful implementation is getting consumers to opt-in.

According to Parks Associates, nearly two-thirds of broadband customers in the United States are willing to pay for a smart energy management service, but a lack of information and knowledge is hindering progress. The value of the smart grid is clear to utilities. However, despite the numerous benefits, smart meters still raise concerns for many mainstream consumers. Many don’t fully understand how they work, why they are needed and how it will benefit them.

From the article "Helping Consumers Understand the Value of Smart Meters" by Marcus Scheiber.

Previously In The News

IoT-Ready Smart TVs: What's The Potential?

Barbara Kraus, Parks Associates director of research, also sees potential. “There are a number of potential use cases for the TV as a smart-home controller,” she said. “The TV display can be used as a...

Apple's Next? Brains Of An iPhone 6S In A 5S Body

Many consumers demanded bigger screens, and the move paid off for Apple. The larger iPhone was Apple’s best seller ever. But not all Apple consumers made the switch. According to research firm P...

Security Cameras Lead Smart-Home Adoption

Networked surveillance cameras are leading the adoption of smart-home technology, Parks Associates said in releasing consumer-survey results during ISC West. Nine percent of U.S. broadband househol...

Game-Console Penetration To Fall Below 50% By 2019

The number of broadband-connected households with a game console will fall to less than 50 percent by 2019 from today's 58 percent, thanks to the growth of gaming options on platforms such as smart TV...