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Promoting smart homes

Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings - With ISBN/ISSNChapter

Published
Publication date23/05/2019
Host publicationEnergy Fables: Challenging Ideas in the Energy Sector
EditorsJenny Rinkinen, Elizabeth Shove, Jacopo Torriti
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Pages78-87
Number of pages10
ISBN (print)9780367027797, 9780367027759
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been increasing interest in using ‘smart’ technologies: to can gather information about a building and its inhabitants, and automatically make decisions about which appliances and services should be powered. Promoting smart homes is frequently seen as a means of reducing energy demand. However, this chapter shows that smart home technologies are also positioned and sold as means of enhancing convenience or creating a cosy atmosphere. In increasing expectations of service, and in relying on energy-intensive infrastructures like network technology and data centres, smart home technologies might not reduce demand at all.