Survey indicates most homeowners are concerned about home
maintenance but it is not top of mind when considering smart home
technology
Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, wireless doorbell
cameras, and keyless entry are among the top 10 smart home
technologies for homeowners age 50 and older, according to new
research from The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab.
This Smart News Release features multimedia.
View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005676/en/
“Smart home technology can make life easier for people of all
ages, but it can be especially beneficial to those ages 50 and
older as their lifestyles change,” said Jodi Olshevski,
gerontologist and executive director of The Hartford Center for
Mature Market Excellence. “Keyless entry is convenient for active
households, especially if there are multiple generations living
under one roof. Wireless doorbell cameras can provide safety and
peace of mind to families who travel or to individuals who live
alone.”
The research consisted of an extensive review of 25 technologies
by a panel of leading experts on housing, aging and technology.
These reviews were used to identify the top 10 technologies that
can make life easier, help with home maintenance, and enhance
safety and security for homeowners over the age of 50. The top 10
technologies include:
1. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors2. Wireless doorbell
cameras3. Keyless entry4. Automatic lighting5. Smart water shut off
valves6. Smart home security systems7. Smart outlets/plugs8. Smart
thermostats9. Water and/or mold monitoring sensors10. Smart window
blinds
“How we live has an enormous impact on our happiness and
well-being,” said Joseph F. Coughlin, Ph.D., director of the MIT
AgeLab. “Smart home technologies offer innovative opportunities to
make living easier and to help people protect their homes.”
Smart Home Technology Can Help with Home Maintenance
In addition to the expert panel, The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab
surveyed homeowners age 50+ to gauge their perspectives on smart
home technology. The survey found that their No. 1 concern about
their home is maintenance. However, maintenance was not their top
choice when considering the benefits of smart home technology. They
cited safety and security (49 percent), saving energy (47 percent),
and making day-to-day life easy and convenient (33 percent) as the
top three benefits.
“As a homeowner’s insurer that specializes in the mature market,
we pay close attention to new smart home technologies and what our
customers are interested in,” said Olshevski. “While many
homeowners associate this technology with safety and convenience,
smart home devices can also help protect their homes and prevent
situations that can result in costly repairs, such as burst pipes
or water leaks.”
Some of the technologies on the list that can help avoid
potential problems before property damage occurs and may help avoid
costly repairs, include:
- Smart smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors
- Smart water shut off valves
- Smart thermostats
- Water and mold monitoring sensors
According to the survey, just over half (51 percent) of
homeowners over the age of 50 either have smart home technology or
are interested in buying it. Of those who do not currently have
smart home technology but plan to purchase it or are interested in
getting it, about half (49 percent) are willing to spend between
$101 and $500 on it in a year.
When considering smart home technology, The Hartford and the MIT
AgeLab recommend that mature homeowners:
- Research what’s out there and the
benefits of the technology
- Determine what might work best for your
home and family
- Visit www.thehartford.com/smarthome to
take a tour of a digital smart home and learn more about how these
technologies work
This recent study builds on many years of research by The
Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence focused on empowering
50+ homeowners to maintain their safety, independence and
well-being.
Methodology
The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab identified a list of experts who
were professionals with expertise in the housing, technology and
aging. The panel of nine experts completed questionnaires reviewing
25 different smart home technologies. The results of these reviews
were used to identify the top 10 technologies with benefits for 50+
homeowners.
YouGov conducted an online survey among 1,092 homeowners in the
U.S. between Oct. 6-10, 2016 of whom 728 were 50+. Margin of error
for this study is +/- 3.6 percent at the 95 percent confidence
level.
About The Hartford
The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance,
group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of
expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service
excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More
information on the company and its financial performance is
available at https://www.thehartford.com. Follow us on Twitter
at www.twitter.com/TheHartford_PR.
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG)
operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The
Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional
details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice.
About The Hartford Center for Mature Market
Excellence
The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence creates
innovative business solutions for the mature market. Staffed by
gerontologists, the center is uniquely positioned to apply
knowledge of aging to develop one-of-a-kind products and services
for The Hartford's customers, and specialized training for The
Hartford's employees. The center conducts original research in
partnership with academic institutions and produces public
education programs on safety, mobility and independence. The
Hartford has had this in-house expertise since 1984, guiding The
Hartford to unparalleled success in understanding and serving the
mature market. Follow us on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/TheHartfordCMME.
About the MIT AgeLab
The MIT AgeLab is a multidisciplinary research program that
works with business, government, and NGOs to improve the quality of
life of older people and those who care for them. The AgeLab
applies consumer-centered systems thinking to understand the
challenges and opportunities of longevity and emerging generational
lifestyles to catalyze innovation. For more information go to
agelab.mit.edu, or follow the AgeLab on Twitter
@JosephCoughlin.
HIG-N
Some of the statements in this release may be considered
forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors
should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may
cause actual results to differ. These important risks and
uncertainties include those discussed in our 2015 Annual Report on
Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q, and the
other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of
the date issued.
From time to time, The Hartford may use its website to
disseminate material company information. Financial and other
important information regarding The Hartford is routinely
accessible through and posted on our website at
https://ir.thehartford.com. In addition, you may automatically
receive email alerts and other information about The Hartford when
you enroll your email address by visiting the “Email Alerts”
section at https://ir.thehartford.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005676/en/
The HartfordMichelle Symington,
860-547-5385michelle.symington@thehartford.com
Hartford Financial Servi... (NYSE:HIG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
Hartford Financial Servi... (NYSE:HIG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024