No abstract

Smart home technology (SHT) is being promoted for the enhancement of occupants' convenience, as well as more efficient and sustainable energy consumption. However, recent research indicates that convenience often takes precedence over energy reduction, threatening to affect inhabitants' everyday practices in a non-sustainable way. In order to understand the social and environmental consequences of SHT, the meaning of convenience is investigated. How is the concept of convenience developed in concert with technological development? Presenting SHT imaginaries from the industry, the paper builds on qualitative interviews with 11 SHT professionals. By exploring the practices, roles, and relations at play in SHT development, it is demonstrated how the vision to enhance convenience in everyday life is related to a user imaginary characterized by passivity and disengagement from energy savings. Furthermore, convenience is enabled and enforced through the notion of interoperability. Interoperability refers to not only technologies 'speaking together' but also a strong interdependency between professional actors. By exploring the practices at play in SHT development, the meaning of convenience is revealed to be an outcome of this interdependency as well as the collectively shaped ideas, and technological standards embedded in the industry.

Smart home technology (SHT) is becoming more widespread, implemented to enhance convenience as well as energy flexibility and efficiency. Smart heating, lighting, security and entertainment systems are affecting social practices and the use of energy in different ways. This paper explores differences in competences, meanings and forms of knowledge involved in the performance of (gendered) household practices based on two Danish qualitative studies of different user groups: SHT frontrunner households (n = 15) and less tech-interested households (n = 12). The former had incorporated a broad range of smart technologies, e.g. vacuum cleaners, lighting and entertainment systems, while the latter were primarily engaged with smart heating systems. In the frontrunner households, internal differences in competences and meanings between men and women were more apparent than in households with less tech interest. A clear division between traditional and digital housekeeping is apparent that reinforces gender inequality. Evidence shows the variation in how SHT is part of gendered everyday practices; how SHT changes meanings and competences in practices and induces new ways of performing practices that can involve gendered digital inequality. Thus, it is necessary to consider competences and meanings in everyday practices as well as gendered ideas behind the technology.

This special issue explores a key question in the energy transition: how are visions, relationships and practices with emerging technologies gendered, and what does this mean for home relations and energy outcomes? Homes are deeply gendered spaces where labour, care, technology management and household responsibilities are unequally distributed. Yet, as the papers in this special issue reveal, policy and industry visions tend to overlook gendered dynamics associated with these technologies, reflecting a perceived technology neutrality. This oversight puts the energy transition at risk. This special issue reveals how understanding the gender impacts of emerging technologies is crucial for realising energy policy, regulatory and building efficiency aspirations. The collection identifies how technology use, energy consumption and everyday practices in homes reflect gendered differences. Studies from diverse empirical and geographical contexts explore questions of gender in relation to emerging technologies such as energy feedback portals, smart home systems, home efficiency improvements, electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels and home batteries. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, and house, technology and program designers, to achieve an equitable energy transition. The collection demonstrates the need for concerted policy and industry attention to gendered dynamics in order to ensure inclusive energy policy and technology development.

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