The Meltwater 2024 Global Overview report shows that over 28% of UK 16-64-year-olds own some form of smart home device. Additionally, Schneider Electric and Drayton’s recent Consumer Report found that 71% of respondents cited reducing their carbon footprint as important. With this move towards smart home technology and a more sustainable outlook, it is, perhaps, no surprise that home energy management systems (HEMS) are becoming popular. 

However, as homeowners begin to rely more on electricity to power items such as cars and heating, the need will grow for one central hub that can connect multiple devices, and automate and optimise usage. 

Given this, a report from Exactitude Consultancy estimates that by 2029 the global HEMS market could be worth £6.4 billion. So, how does this increased uptake in HEMS translate for installers?

HEMS explained

A HEMS comprises a centralised hub, used with an app, online portal, or both. Traditionally, the hub is a piece of hardware, which is built to receive information from the home’s connected devices and appliances. The accompanying app or online portal allow the user to access the information gathered by the system, and monitor and manage their energy consumption.  

Not only this, HEMS usually have machine learning capabilities, which means they can automate tasks without the need for the homeowner’s input. 

As an example, a HEMS, once connected, could ‘notice’ that a home’s solar panels generate and store most energy between 10am and 3pm, while the household’s peak energy usage takes place at 6pm. It can then make the educated decision to shift from using power from the grid to the stored energy during this time of higher usage and higher tariff to generate savings. 

Should the homeowner in this scenario own an electric car, they would be able to plug in their car to charge at 6pm for example, but the HEMS could delay the charge until later in the evening, ensuring that it is ready for the morning commute the next day, but also that the charge takes place overnight, when the electricity is cheaper.

Overall HEMS take the difficulty out of managing the home’s energy usage by optimising and automating actions that can drive down usage and costs. 

Are HEMS needed?

With the introduction of various smart home appliances, without HEMS homeowners would likely have to navigate different apps manually, which could lead to resistance and inefficiency due to human error. 

So, while it is relatively early days for HEMS, there is little doubt that they can offer increased convenience, allowing connected devices to be managed in one place, with the added benefit of automation. 

As reliance on electricity continues to grow driven by government policy and technological developments, HEMS will become more efficient, enabling homeowners to use energy in a cost-effective manner, but also provide benefits beyond our own homes. As well as helping to optimise a household’s energy usage, they will also be crucial in helping to relieve stress on the national grid to maintain a consistent provision of power across the country. 

Future facing 

However, for HEMS to be a success, the infrastructure needs to adapt. This means that connected devices and technologies will require open protocols, such as OpenTherm. Such protocols allow devices to communicate effectively to deliver the convenience and efficiencies that HEMS promise.  

Impact on installers

While fully automated homes are a while off yet, the government’s legally binding 2050 net-zero deadline is drawing closer, so it makes sense for installers to get to grips today with what HEMS can offer and how to operate them, in order to best support customers in the future. 

In doing so, installers can ensure they are ahead of the curve, and are set to expand their service offering when HEMS become truly commonplace.