• by Chuck Martin , Staff Writer, April 11, 2016

For consumers to buy into gadgets that can automate, monitor or control devices in their home, the price better be right.

And it even may take some additional persuading of those who already are interested before they make an actual purchase, based on a new study.

There are certain attributes consumers are looking for, with reliability leading the list, according to a survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers by International Data Corporation (IDC).

As more devices that can turn lights on and off, control thermostats and provide real-time security monitoring come to market, consumers will be faced with a growing number of choices. Of those already pre-disposed to home automation products, here, in order, are the attributes they’re looking for before jumping in:

1. Reliability
2. Cost of equipment
3. Cost of ongoing use
4. Cost of installation
5. Overall value
6. Ease of use
7. Security or privacy concerns
8. Overall experience
9. Ease of installation
10. Need more information
11. Better interoperability of multiple devices
12. More uses for home control

Having a home network also seems to influence some behavior. For example, 28% of consumers who own a home network stream online videos to their TVs and they are much more likely to express high interest in and adoption of home IoT applications compared to those without a network.

There also are consumers who have no current interest in connected home devices. Of those who had a relatively low desire to acquire any home automation applications, this is why:

• 46% -- Too expensive
• 40% -- Have no use for them
• 30% -- Don’t see the value in them
• 18% --Too complicated
• 12% -- Doubt they will live up to the promise
• 11% -- Don’t know enough about them

Whether a consumer is on the fence or holding back on home automation devices, the cost of devices is at the top of both lists.

This would be the time for some serious marketing of the value proposition.