IoT Adoption for Energy Efficiency in Home Environments : A Case Study of Challenges Perceived by Consumers in Sweden

Abstract: Technology is developing fast, and more smart devices are being implemented in our everyday life. Internet of Things (IoT) is a modern technology where physical objects are embedded with sensors in order for them to communicate. IoT can help reduce energy consumption in households, yet usage of such technologies is not widespread. There is a gap in the understanding of why the adoption of IoT technologies is lagging behind expectations. In this concept, energy-efficient IoT devices include smart devices that can help reduce energy wastage by efficient management of energy consumption. The aim of this study is to better understand the challenges of energy-efficient IoT implementation in Swedish home environments. This research explores Swedish customers' awareness of, attitude towards and experiences with IoT devices that reduce energy wastage, in order to assess barriers to adoption. To understand the challenges of IoT adoption in Swedish households, a mixed-method case study was conducted. Data was collected using a combination of interviews, surveys, and reviews from websites and forums, with eight people being interviewed, 26 people responding to the survey, and 302 reviews included as a secondary source of information. The collected data were analysed with thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.The analysis presents evidence that factors such as social and mass media influence, lack of information, compatibility and connectivity challenges, lack of standardisation, high cost, distrust, and high expectation contribute to the reluctance of energy-efficient IoT adoption. Widespread adoption of energy-efficient IoT devices can be achieved by facilitating knowledge dissemination in mass media, providing information transparency, enabling cross-platform interoperability and providing adequate support.