The gap between what builders think buyers will pay for and what some buyers may actually value is worth a closer look.
That’s one takeaway from Schneider Electric’s latest research on new-construction homebuyers. The company surveyed roughly 350 buyers in the market for a new-construction home in 2025 and compared the results with its 2024 survey to identify emerging shifts in how buyers think about energy management, electrification, and smart-home infrastructure.
One result stands out immediately: Energy efficiency ranked third among the most important factors in choosing a new home, behind only price and location. For builders, that suggests energy performance is increasingly part of the core value proposition.
“Energy efficiency really has solidified its position as a top-tier consideration,” says April Lisonbee, senior marketing manager of Schneider Electric’s residential division.
The study shows buyers are responding less to smart energy technology as a novelty and more to it as a practical upgrade with measurable benefits. Lisonbee says there’s a shift toward “practical ROI driven upgrades,” especially when builders can clearly explain how a feature improves comfort, lowers bills, or helps a homeowner manage energy use more effectively.
There is an important qualifier, though. Lisonbee noted that 2025 respondents skewed somewhat more educated and slightly higher income than the year before. Builders should keep that in mind when deciding which buyer segments are most likely to respond first to these offerings.
Still, the two-year comparison points to some notable movement in specific categories.
So what, exactly, are buyers gravitating toward?
Smart panels are gaining traction. In 2025, 34% of respondents said a smart electrical panel is a must-have in their new-construction home, up from 28% in 2024. Lisonbee also says willingness to pay more than $10,000 for a smart electrical panel increased directionally in the 2025 survey, though she cautions that stated willingness to pay does not always translate perfectly into a signed purchase decision.
Bundling appears to strengthen the value story. When Schneider Electric tested packages that paired a smart panel with solar or an EV charger, Lisonbee says the offering became “a lot more interesting” to buyers. In her view, the perceived value of the bundle helped drive both willingness to adopt and willingness to pay.
EV charging demand is also rising. Twenty percent of buyers said an EV charger is a must-have, up from 16% in 2024. Lisonbee notes that buyers who prioritize EV charging also tend to place higher value on solar and smart panels, suggesting an opening for builders to think less in terms of isolated upgrades and more in terms of packaged electrification options.
For builders, the bigger lesson may be about positioning. These technologies become easier to sell when they are tied to a concrete “why it’s worth it” message. A smart thermostat, for instance, can be framed around annual savings. A smart panel can be positioned around load management, energy visibility, and, depending on how the system is used, potential electric-bill savings in the 10% to 20% range. Presented that way, the upgrade becomes more tangible to both buyers and sales teams.
That framing matters because buyers are responding to upgrades they can understand in dollars, in comfort, and in control. They’re looking for features that help them make better use of energy, prepare for higher electricity costs, and get more performance out of the home over time. Builders who can make that value story clear may have an easier time turning smart energy features into a stronger selling point.
Schneider Electric’s connected-home resources can help you package smart energy upgrades into options that feel essential. Learn more.
