Texas Broadband Homes 'Slightly Ahead of the Curve' on Smart Energy Devices, Parks Says

Sixteen percent of broadband homes in Texas own a smart energy device -- such as a thermostat, light bulb, power strip, outlet or plug/adapter -- compared with 12 percent of all U.S. broadband homes, a report by Parks Associates said. “Texans are slightly ahead of the curve when it comes to buying smart energy devices,” Parks Associates President Stuart Sikes said. “Texas companies including Austin Energy and Reliant have been strong leaders in driving consumer awareness of energy programs and products -- 36 percent of Texas broadband households are familiar with energy monitoring and management products, compared to 28 percent nationwide.” In the past year, 12 percent of Texas broadband households bought or received a smart energy device, while nationwide, 9 percent of broadband households bought such a device in the same period.