A new study by Navigant predicts that the market value of smart thermostats may reach around $1.4 billion by 2020, while the current market is around $100 million.

Although it appears that there will be significant growth over the next seven years, this report provides a conservative estimate of some market barriers, particularly in the US residential market where utilities are involved. If the products produced by the company are strong enough in the open market, as is the case with bundled sales in the retail and telecommunications industries, the resulting numbers may be even more exaggerated.

In the report, the author wrote, "Unlike products and solutions directly integrated into government funded public utility smart grid projects, smart thermostats still primarily rely on the commercial sector, with purchasing motivation determined by individual energy efficiency awareness and the ability to save costs. Therefore, the smart thermostat market has been struggling to find drivers

Indeed, smart thermostats are still niche products, and public utilities have just entered this field. However, some other trends suggest that this market is gaining explosive momentum. According to GTM research, only a few home energy management system companies in the United States currently have over 1 million customers, many of whom use smart thermostats as part of their product and service offerings to connect with customers. The services provided by these companies are currently unavailable for public utilities.

It is reported that Nest Labs ships 40000 smart thermostats per month, and its installation volume reached its peak last Christmas. There are also non-public utility products in Europe that are shaking the market, such as Tado.

It can be said that people have not noticed the growth potential of smart thermostats mainly due to the lack of participation from public utilities. At the same time, the combination of mobile phones and automatic temperature control devices makes these products more attractive to customers. Compiled by China Intelligent Electrician Network, if you need to reprint, please indicate the source!

Although the rumors are not credible, they also reflect that the market has indeed gained momentum to move forward. When you accidentally hear someone comparing their iPhone temperature control app, or you hear others talking endlessly about Nest thermostats at a cocktail party, it means the thermostat market is changing. People don't just buy these products because they want to save money or focus on energy conservation. People purchase these products because they can conveniently control the temperature remotely through their smartphones. For most people, the monthly savings in utility bills are just an additional 'benefit'.

Most utility companies are not very interested in managing household appliances. But they like to leverage unfamiliar markets with their products, and they are increasingly relying on external suppliers, who are thriving in the home market.

GTM research suggests that for suppliers, to open the door to utility customers, individual household devices, especially smart thermostats, will be the low threshold for entry. Many utility companies, including San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and * Energy, have revised their residential demand response service portfolios, utilizing thermostats as leverage in their service areas and offering more popular models to advance related services.