The Role of Smart Homes In The Journey Towards Net-Zero: A review

Achieving net-zero requires an integrated approach to energy efficiency throughout a building’s life cycle. Energy consumption can be optimised and carbon emissions can be reduced when utilising smart technologies. This paper explores the role of smart home technology in achieving net-zero home goals, by synthesising existing literature on smart energy, user behaviour, and sustainable building strategies. A rapid evidence review is conducted to identify technologies that support net-zero through smart home systems. Key findings indicate that while smart homes can significantly contribute to reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints, challenges such as limited public awareness, data privacy concerns and policy barriers hinder their widespread adoption. The research demonstrates the need for further empirical studies on user engagement, cost-benefit models and policy frameworks to facilitate the integration of smart home technologies into decarbonising homes, therefore accelerating the transition to net-zero.