Millennials Among Least Likely to Participate in Energy-Saving Programs, Survey Says

Millennials ages 18-29 are among those least likely to own an energy-related IoT product and participate in utility-driven energy management programs, said a report on a survey by the Association of Energy Services Professionals and Essense Partners. Energy-related IoT products in the study included smart thermostats, power strips, air conditioners and washing machines. The survey of more than 2,700 consumers asked people in various age groups whether they own IoT home devices and whether they participated in what the industry defines as demand-side management programs their utilities sponsor. Findings showed 85 percent of millennials didn’t own IoT home products or participate in energy-saving programs from a utility, compared with 79 percent of consumers aged 30-44, 81 percent aged 45-59 and 84 percent 60 and older. Though the association expected a lower rate of participation among younger people "who may not be homeowners yet,” the survey found a “consistent trend of higher participation rates as people get older” that will inform planning and design of participation programs, said AESP Chief Operating Officer Suzanne Jones. The highest participation rates were in Washington, Oregon and California, followed by Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The lowest participation rates were in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, it said.