Nearly three in ten (28%) internet users use internet-connected devices and systems for energy management in the home, an increase of six percentage points on the same period in 2022. Those solutions encompass internet-connected smart devices or systems such as thermostats, smart meters for gas, electricity, smart lights, plug-ins, energy panels, etc. Smart home solutions such as connected windows or window blinds integrated in a system aiming at optimising energy consumption are also included here.
At a regional level, Dubliners were more likely to use such smart energy management systems in their homes with over one third (34%) of internet users in Dublin compared with just 17% of internet users in the West region using such devices and systems for smart living.
There has been a notable increase in the take-up of smart solutions for security in the home such as internet-connected home alarm system, smoke detector, or security cameras, smart doorbell, etc., 30% of internet users were using such smart solutions in their homes in 2024, compared with just less than one in six (17%) in the same period in 2022. See Map 3.1, Table 3.1 and PxStat Tables for comparisons with 2022.
Note that respondents could select more than one option.
Just over one in seven (15%) of internet users say they use such internet-connected home appliances such as robot vacuums, fridges, ovens, coffee machines, etc. Both in-house appliances (e.g. connected robot vacuums, fridges, ovens, dishwashers, coffee machines, cooking robots, laundry machines) and equipment for the garden (e.g. connected lawn mowers, garden irrigation device or system) are included here.
Over four in ten internet users (41%) use a virtual assistant (or an intelligent personal assistant) in the form of a smart speaker or of an app, such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa/Echo/Computer, Google Assistant, Apple HomePod, etc. A virtual assistant is a software that can perform tasks or services for an individual based on verbal commands. Some virtual assistants are able to interpret human speech and respond via synthetized voices. Users can also ask their assistants questions, control home automation devices and media playback via voice, and manage other basic tasks such as email, timers, alarms, to-do lists and calendars with verbal commands.
Of internet users who had not used any of these home internet-connected devices and systems, over two thirds (67%) said that they did not need to use them, while one quarter (26%) had concerns about the privacy and protection of personal data generated by the devices or systems, while over one in five (21%) had security concerns such as that the device or system could be hacked. Over one in seven (15%) said that such home internet-connected IoT devices or systems were too costly.
Less-frequently cited reasons were unfamiliarity with such devices and systems (12%), non-compatibility with other home equipment already used by the respondent (5%) and concerns about personal safety and health (4%).
Just 7% of internet users who don’t use any home internet-connected devices and systems for management of home energy, security, etc. in their home were unaware that such home automation devices or systems existed. See Figure 3.1, Table 3.1, Table 3.2 and PxStat Tables for comparisons with 2022.
Respondents were also asked about their use of internet-connected home entertainment. Over three quarters (76%) use internet-connected TV, such as smart TVs or other less advanced connected TV sets, including where a TV set has been connected to the network via a Chromecast. Internet-connected game consoles such as Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, etc. were used by 37% of internet users in 2024. A similar number (37%) use a home audio system connected to the internet or smart speakers, also including basic speakers which can be connected via for example Bluetooth. See Table 3.2 and PxStat Tables for comparisons with 2022.
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