[Editor’s Note: iModerate has published a report discussing their findings after surveying consumers on the State of Smart Home technology, providing some insights into a consumer’s understanding and expectations of Smart Home technology. All that’s required is your email.]

Consumers foresee the arrival of the smart home as even more imminent than that of smart cars or wearable technology. And while they welcome it, their enthusiasm is tempered by some confusion around the smart home concept, as well as concerns about price, ease of use, and physical and data security, according to new research from iModerate, a leading qualitative research firm.

While consumers aren’t quite sure if the smart home is a product, a series of products, or a comprehensive system they can purchase, they envision the smart home as a means to solve numerous problems and issues they face on a daily basis. Study participants said they think a smart home would be most beneficial when they’re away from home: specifically, they said a smart home would alleviate worries of leaving an appliance on (72%); help lower energy bills (71%); and reduce burglary worries (58%).

In terms of safety and security, however, consumers see the smart home concept as something of a double-edged sword: they believe it will offer peace of mind to them and their families, but they are wary of the security and privacy issues a smart home could expose. Study participants said they like the idea of being able to peek in to their homes, to remotely control home functions, and to receive alerts if there is an attempted intrusion or mechanical problem that occurs while they’re away. Conversely, consumers are fearful that security measures could backfire, data collected by smart home systems could be exploited, and smart locks could be easily hacked.

The study also found that very few people know where to start in purchasing or setting up a smart home and that providing live demonstrations is vital for manufacturers and retailers. Those who have entered the market most often started with the purchase of a smart thermostat, since it combines many valuable aspects of a smart home: convenience, energy efficiency, comfort, and cost savings, to name a few.

‘We found our conversations with consumers fascinating in terms of how eager people are to embrace the smart home. They perceive the technology would generally better the home experience. Only 7% indicated concern that it would make their homes feel cold and uninviting, whereas the majority envisioned smart home technology as a silent task-master, freeing up time they’d typically spend on household chores and, in turn, allowing them more time with their families. With that in mind, they’re eager to get their hands on the technology and integrate it into their homes, but have no idea where to start or which manufacturers to purchase from,’ said Adam Rossow, Partner at iModerate. ‘As such, the smart home represents a nearly new — and open — frontier for manufacturers and marketers.’

The report is available here as a free download.