Smart home controls set to grow
UK consumers embrace smart home technology, driving demand for digital heating controls
AMA Research (part of Barbour ABI) reports that smart heating controls are expected to see high growth to 2022. According to its latest Domestic Central Heating market report (2018-2022) smart heating controls are likely to take market share from conventional heating controls in the longer term.
In 2017, it is estimated that around 30% of heating controls sold by value were smart heating controls. This figure is likely to increase to over 45% of heating controls sold by value by 2022. UK householders are becoming much more environmentally aware and are using smart heating solutions in order to minimise energy usage and to save money. It is estimated that around 5% of UK homes now have smart heating controls installed.
The heating market is mature, with central heating installed in around 92% of UK homes. However, growth potential still exists through product innovation designed to improve thermal performance, energy efficiency and control.
However, the shift to smart heating controls is likely to be gradual and a large number of homeowners are expected to continue with conventional solutions. The primary focus of many suppliers will be key benefits such as ease of use and convenience for customers.
The trend towards low carbon homes in the UK will continue to grow, largely due to the measures introduced as part of the Climate Change Act. This will result in the homeowners adopting of a wider range of heating technologies in both new housing and existing properties, to deliver an energy efficient heating environment.
“The future performance of the UK domestic heating market will be influenced by overall trends in housebuilding, home improvement, fuel prices, renewable technologies, and technological developments,” says Hayley Thornley, head of research at AMA.
“While increasing legislation around energy efficiency represents a major influence in the long-term development of the domestic central heating market. The UK smart heating controls sector has evolved as part of the smart home market and is expected to show good levels of growth to 2022 and beyond.”
Image credit: Shutterstock.com / Zhu Difeng
