Energy efficiency, safety and comfort leading reasons to invest in smart home technology

Most consumers are looking for safety and comfort, along with energy efficiency, when purchasing smart home products, according to recent study from Scripps Networks Interactive.

Only 18 percent of respondents are trying to meet others expectations, according to the survey.

Across generations, millennials are most likely to invest in smart home technology to make their homes more convenient in daily life, while Generation X is looking to make their home a healthy environment. Baby boomers are hoping smart home technology will add value to their homes. Eighty-five percent of millennials want to add technology to their home, with more than half hoping to do so in 2017. Seventy-three percent of Generation X members want to add the technology, 38 percent in 2017, and 67 percent of baby boomers want to add smart home technology, 28 percent this year.

The kitchen is the most likely place to find smart home technology, such as smart refrigerators. Generation X was most likely to want to enhance the kitchen, with 28 percent picking it, compared to 27 percent of millennials and 23 percent of baby boomers. Fifteen percent of respondents would like to add smart home technology to the front door, and 13 percent would like to add it to their living room.

The products most popular among homeowners today are light automation and energy monitoring, as 43 percent reported these items are the ones they want to add. Mobile device-operated or computer-controlled home systems, a doorbell camera, surveillance equipment, home audio automation, HVAC automation, motion lights and a security system are also popular smart home products.

More than half of homeowners say finding a trustworthy consultant is the most important thing when they are shopping for smart home features.