The societal impact of smart appliances for connecting homes and grids: usage and user experience of Dutch residents

In the European project Interconnect (Interconnect Project - Homepage), 50 European entities have developed and implemented advanced solutions for connecting and converging digital homes and buildings within the electricity sector. In 2023 at a large-scale Dutch real life demonstrator at Strijp S in Eindhoven (NEXT, Strijp S Eindhoven - Wonen bij bouwinvest), four smart devices have been implented in 99 residential appartments each: a smart washing machine, dryer, dishwasher (white goods) and an automated air ventilation system. These appliances have been designed to stimulate consumers to use energy when there is a large amount of sustainable energy (wind, solar), and less energy when there is a limited supply of energy. One key feature integrated into these connected devices is a function called 'delayed start time,' which autonomously selects the most sustainable moment to activate the appliance within a designated time frame. This feature can be operated through either an app or the device itself. The underlying principle is straightforward: the longer the delay in starting the appliance, the greater the potential for more sustainable energy consumption. Furthermore, for consumers with dynamic energy contracts, delayed starts correspond to cost savings, as they align with periods of lower energy tariffs. As a result, these appliances facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the existing grid infrastructure. The goal of the current study is to monitor the usage and user experience regarding the four types of smart devices by means of three questionnaires over a period of nine months. Additionally, seven interviews were held to gain in-depth insights into the usage and user experienec of the smart appliances. More specifically, the following five pre-defined key performance indicators (KPIs) have been measured: 1. Rise in energy awareness due to the InterConnect project; 2. Usage of the four smart appliances; 3. Ease of use of the four smart appliances; 4. Satisfaction with the four smart appliances; 5. Perceived value of the four smart appliances. Additionally, we have gained qualitative insights on complains and suggestions for further improvement.