Vivint, the leading U.S. smart home, security, and energy company, launched its second annual How We Home Report, featuring new research exploring trends and changes in how Americans live and how the technology within their homes continues to evolve.

Security, Energy Management, Professional Installation, and Home and Family Care are Top of Mind

This year’s findings reveal four key areas homeowners value most: stronger home security, smarter energy management, professional installation, and family and home care solutions. Among the 10 most popular smart home devices, 40% support home protection, monitoring, or access control, while 60% help create a more efficient and connected home. Adoption is also strong, with 78% of homeowners owning at least one smart device and 61% purchasing one in the past year.

Security Remains Top of Mind

Today’s most popular smart home devices include security products like smart doorbells, security cameras, smart lighting, and smart locks/keyless entry. When asked about the future of smart home technology, homeowners say “home security and protection” is their top priority. Digging deeper, this response is largely attributed to wider trends and macroeconomic concerns:

  • 1 in 5 homeowners report feeling less safe in their homes than they used to due to concerns about crime, economic conditions and severe weather

  • Nearly half (46%) are more concerned about theft affecting their homes or properties than they were five years ago

  • 1 in 5 (19%) say they know someone who has experienced a house or vehicle break-in, while 15% have been a victim themselves

  • More than half (52%) believe porch piracy is on the rise, and 1 in 5 (22%) have already had a package stolen after delivery

  • Despite ongoing public debates around technology’s relationship to personal security and data privacy, nearly 3 in 4 homeowners (72%) say they do trust smart devices with their privacy

Homeowners Turn to Energy Management as Costs and Demand Rise

Homeowners are particularly cautious about their finances, and for many, this means taking a closer look at home energy usage and expenses. Nearly 6 in 10 homeowners (59%) report an increase in energy bills in the last year, while 63% say they are more concerned about energy expenses today than they were five years ago. Quantifying the financial impact, one-third of homeowners report spending at least $300 per month on utilities in the summer and winter months – and for Gen Z, the youngest demographic to enter the workforce, 50% spend at least $300 every month, even outside of peak seasons.

As a result, 37% of homeowners say they use smart home technology to manage, track, and reduce their energy consumption, via devices like smart thermostats and home energy monitors. Further, 31% cite “managing energy consumption” as a top reason to purchase and implement smart home devices.

“This year’s How We Home report illustrates a growing shift in what homeowners expect from a smart home – security, energy management, and intelligent automations working together in a single, simple platform, not a house full of disconnected smart devices,” said David Porter, Managing Director of Vivint. “At Vivint, we believe that smart home technology should make your home life easier, not more complicated. That’s why we offer our customers a simple pathway to whole-home intelligence and insights from connected devices and systems for greater safety, efficiency, and peace of mind.”

A Rising Demand for Professional Installation and Whole-Home Integration

As consumers increasingly add smart devices to their homes, preferences are shifting away from doing it themselves and toward professional installation. While DIY was once considered a more convenient and affordable option, the data tells a different story: one-third (34%) of homeowners say that ensuring correct device installation is the primary reason they may choose to have smart devices professionally installed. The data also points to challenges with device setup and use: nearly half (48%) of homeowners own at least one smart home device they rarely or never use, and 22% have purchased a device they never installed.

As smart homes become increasingly complex, professional installation becomes more important to ensure a home’s devices not only work correctly but work together in a single integrated platform. More than 1 in 5 homeowners (22%) responded that a main advantage of integrated smart devices is the ability to control multiple devices from a single app or platform. Consumers believe greater integration will have a significant positive impact on their motivation to use smart home technology in the first place: stronger energy management, security, and overall peace of mind.

Lifestyles and Life Changes Influence Smart Home Technology Adoption

Beyond energy management and security, the research shows that home and family care are also driving smart home adoption.

Nearly half (42%) of homeowners are caring for a family member or expect to be in the next five years. The ability to remotely monitor loved ones’ wellbeing and receive immediate notifications of emergencies or falls has become a top consideration when it comes to smart home technology. Elder care is one of the key categories driving homeowners – behind only security and sustainability – and 45% of caregivers are most concerned about delivering help quickly in emergency situations.

Travel is another factor shaping what homeowners want from their smart home devices. Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) say they would purchase smart devices to protect their homes and belongings while traveling, and 1 in 5 cite the “need for remote home monitoring while traveling” as a top reason to invest in smart home security.

Key Takeaways for Homeowners

From broader economic pressures to individual lifestyle changes, homeowners’ needs, preferences and expectations are evolving quickly, and smart home technology is evolving with them.

  • Energy Management: Smart home systems are not just for convenience and peace of mind – they can also save users money and operate more sustainably. Users are choosing systems that can do it all, including facilitating smarter energy management to help with rising energy bills

  • Professional Installation: While DIY might initially seem “easier,” it’s not. In fact, it creates room for error, often resulting in incomplete or poor setups. Find a solution that offers professional installation, guaranteeing optimal device performance from day one – especially amid heightened concerns around theft and safety

  • How Your Technology Grows with You: Life moves quickly, and new AI-powered technology can significantly ease transitions through major life moments – whether that’s becoming a caregiver, ramping up travel plans, or anything in between. Choose a comprehensive setup that meets your current needs, while also planning for your future

See the full report and additional findings here.

Methodology 5,000 U.S. homeowners were interviewed as part of the How We Home report, conducted online in September 2026. The survey was commissioned by Vivint and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct.

About Vivint Vivint, an NRG company, is a leading U.S. security and smart home company redefining the home experience through intelligent products and services that help millions of customers live in smarter, safer, more efficient homes. Vivint’s integrated platform combines security, energy management, and automation, delivering a fully connected experience with a human touch that offers customers greater control of homes, anytime, from anywhere. Every Vivint system includes professional installation and personalized setup from Vivint home experts, plus award-winning 24/7 customer support and monitoring. For more information, visit https://www.vivint.com.

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