Schneider Electric Q&A: Improving Home Energy Efficiency

The demand for energy is on the rise, set to soar through 2027 according to the International Energy Agency.

The residential housing sector represents around a quarter of total global energy consumption.

Improving energy efficiency at home could help to reduce a significant amount of carbon emissions from energy use.

Frédéric Godemel is Executive Vice President for Energy Management at Schneider Electric.

He joined the business in 1990 and has held leadership roles around the world, growing his expertise in sustainable energy solutions. 

Frédéric shares his expertise with Sustainability Magazine.

Why is energy efficiency in homes now more important than ever? 

More remote work, online learning and digital entertainment mean our homes are using more energy than ever before. At the same time, energy prices remain high and market instability is making household energy costs unpredictable.

Smarter energy use enables households to lower costs, lessening the impact of rising living costs and market fluctuations.

Today’s technology makes this shift easier than ever.

Automation can eliminate waste and optimise energy use seamlessly, allowing homeowners to live more efficiently without sacrificing comfort.

What impact will this have on global decarbonisation and net zero?

Home energy use has a major part to play in global decarbonisation, today accounting for around 20% of global CO₂ emissions.

This makes energy management one of the most significant ways individuals can contribute to sustainability efforts whilst also reducing their energy bills.

The challenge lies in how we heat, cool and power our homes — today it’s often with inefficient practices that waste both energy and money.

Is energy efficiency a priority for consumers? What are the current trends in attitude? 

Absolutely. A global survey we conducted at Schneider Electric found that 84% of respondents now consider energy efficiency their top home improvement priority.

Additionally, 70% said reducing their carbon footprint is important to them.

Rising energy costs have likely played a big role in this trend, making people more aware of the value of energy efficiency.

However, there’s still a gap between attitude and action.

Many people take small steps — like switching off lights or unplugging unused devices — but fewer are implementing high-impact solutions.

For example, heating and cooling account for most home energy use, yet adjusting thermostats efficiently is often overlooked.

Smart automation can help close this gap, ensuring homes use the right amount of energy at the right time whilst delivering maximum control and comfort.

What does good home energy management look like?

Effective home energy management varies based on factors like home type, location and available resources.

However, the common thread is energy efficiency, which can be achieved through smarter practices.

Simple behavioural changes, combined with energy-efficient technologies and automation can have a significant impact.

For example, many people don’t realise how much energy can be saved by small temperature adjustments to heating and cooling — which typically account for the largest portion of home energy use.

Smart thermostats, powered by AI and machine learning, can streamline this process by automatically adjusting temperatures based on patterns of behaviour and external weather conditions.

In turn, this optimises home efficiency and also increases comfort with individual room control.

Looking ahead, the goal is for homes to seamlessly integrate and efficiently manage clean, renewable energy — whether by sourcing it directly from the grid or generating it independently. 

What solutions exist for consumers to adopt at home?

Digital technology is a game-changer.

Smart home solutions like Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) take the guesswork out of efficiency by monitoring and optimising energy use automatically.

These systems use AI to analyse real-time data, adjusting appliance usage, shifting energy-intensive tasks to off-peak hours and even responding to price fluctuations.

Despite these benefits, adoption remains low — our survey found that only 21% of households have installed energy efficiency technology like HEMS and smart thermostats.

The main reason? Perceived cost.

However, smart home investments pay off quickly.

Our research shows that 25% of homeowners who invested in energy efficiency saw a return within one to three years.

Beyond that, they continue to benefit from long-term cost and carbon savings.

What advice would you give to homeowners starting their efficiency journey?

It starts with small, intentional steps. Simple actions — like adjusting thermostat settings, using energy-efficient appliances and switching to LED lighting — can add up.

While these are good places to start, those further along in their home efficiency journey should look to automation for creating a bigger impact.

Investing in smart energy solutions like HEMS and smart thermostats allows homeowners to actively manage their energy use without effort.

These systems help optimise consumption, reduce costs and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The transition to smarter energy use isn’t just a trend — it’s a necessity.

By making these changes, homeowners can take control of their energy bills, reduce their carbon footprint and help build a more resilient energy future.

The time to act is now.

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