An Interpretive Qualitative Study of the Lived Experiences of Smart Home Technology Users in Enhancing Household Energy Efficiency
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Abstract
The integration of smart home technologies has become increasingly prominent as a strategy for improving energy efficiency in households. However, while technical performance and energy savings have been widely studied, there is limited research on the subjective experiences of users interacting with these technologies. The knowledge gap lies in understanding the emotional and psychological dimensions of users' engagement with smart home devices. In this study, we adopt a phenomenological approach to explore how users perceive and experience the integration of smart home technologies in their daily lives, specifically focusing on energy efficiency. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 12 participants, and thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes in their experiences. The findings indicate three central themes: (1) perceived empowerment through real-time energy monitoring, where participants reported feeling more “in control” of their electricity consumption after using mobile-based dashboards; (2) technological anxiety triggered by system errors and unstable connectivity, which led some users to temporarily disable automated features; and (3) adaptive learning processes, in which users gradually developed routines to optimize device settings, such as scheduling smart thermostats and lighting systems to reduce peak-hour consumption. While participants acknowledge the potential benefits of smart home devices, several concrete barriers emerged, including frequent application crashes, unclear interface instructions, and inconsistent sensor performance, all of which generated frustration and reduced trust in the system. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of users, offering insights into how emotional and cognitive factors shape technology adoption. Practically, the findings suggest that designers and energy policymakers should prioritize intuitive interface design, transparent feedback on energy savings, and reliable system performance to enhance user trust and sustained engagement. Additionally, incorporating user training modules and responsive customer support may help mitigate technological anxiety and improve long-term adoption rates. The implications of this study highlight the need for user-centered design in smart home technologies, demonstrating that emotional reassurance and usability optimization are as critical as technical efficiency in achieving meaningful household energy reduction.
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