- Thermostat optimization: 78+ in summer, 68- in winter, setbacks when away
- AC maintenance: clean filters monthly, annual tune-up, sealed ducts
- Water heater settings: 120F max, heat pump if electric, timer if TOU plan
Why Utility Reports Are Useless
Utility
What Your Utility Sends
Result: Panic over meaningless "32% above neighbors"
- "Neighbors" includes apartments, mansions, vacant homes
- No weather adjustment
- No information about WHAT to do
- Updates quarterly (if that)
Compare Power
What We Show You
Result: Manageable "8% above similar homes" reality check
- Compared to homes YOUR size and age
- Weather-normalized for fair comparison
- Shows "efficient" target to aim for
- Updates daily with actionable insights
The difference matters: A 32% "above neighbors" panic becomes an 8% "above similar homes" reality check. Maybe you have one more occupant. Maybe your AC is slightly older. That's manageable - not a crisis.
See Yourself In Context
Three real comparison scenarios. Which one are you?
Doing Great
- Your Home
- 1050 kWh
- Similar Homes
- 1280 kWh
- Efficient Homes
- 920 kWh
- Neighborhood
- 1340 kWh
You're using 18% less than similar homes. Great job! Your efficiency habits are saving you roughly $35/month compared to your neighbors.
Right On Track
- Your Home
- 1245 kWh
- Similar Homes
- 1280 kWh
- Efficient Homes
- 920 kWh
- Neighborhood
- 1300 kWh
You're right in line with similar homes. Your usage is typical for a home your size in your area. Look at 'Efficient Homes' for potential savings opportunities.
Room to Improve
- Your Home
- 1680 kWh
- Similar Homes
- 1290 kWh
- Efficient Homes
- 950 kWh
- Neighborhood
- 1350 kWh
You're using 30% more than similar homes. This could indicate an efficiency issue, or your home may have more occupants/larger square footage than our estimates.
What Makes Homes "Similar"
We match on factors that actually affect energy usage.
Primary Factors
- Square footage (+/- 15%)
- Year built (+/- 10 years)
- Climate zone (same region)
- Home type (house vs apt)
Secondary Factors
- AC type (central, window)
- Pool/spa (yes/no)
- Heat type (electric, gas)
- Solar (excluded from base)
Adjustments Made
- Weather (cooling degree days)
- Seasonality (month-over-month)
- Billing cycle (days in period)
- Holidays (travel patterns)
How Neighbor Comparison Works
Meaningful comparisons require thoughtful matching.
- 1
Profile Your Home
We analyze your meter data, public records, and any details you provide - square footage, year built, AC type, pool, etc.
- 2
Find Similar Homes
We match you against thousands of Texas homes with similar characteristics in similar climate zones.
- 3
Weather Normalize
Hot week? Everyone uses more. We adjust comparisons for weather so you're comparing behavior, not circumstances.
- 4
Calculate Percentiles
Where do you fall? Top 10% efficiency? Bottom 30%? We show your position in the distribution.
- 5
Generate Insights
Raw numbers aren't enough. We tell you what the comparison means and what (if anything) to do about it.
When Comparison Really Matters
Context turns data into action.
Spike Validation
Spike Validation
Your usage spiked 40%. Is it just you, or is everyone in your area running AC harder? If it's just you, likely an equipment issue or behavior change. If it's everyone, an extreme weather event - normal response.
Learn more Efficiency Potential
Efficiency Potential
You're at 1,400 kWh. Efficient homes like yours use 1,050 kWh. That 350 kWh gap is ~$42/month in possible savings - air sealing, thermostat programming, AC maintenance.
Learn more New Home Baseline
New Home Baseline
Just moved? You don't know what "normal" is yet. We tell you what to expect: "Similar 2,500 sq ft homes average 1,600 kWh in August. Budget accordingly."
Learn more Dispute Evidence
Dispute Evidence
Utility says your usage is normal. Your neighbors had a normal month. You didn't. "My usage doubled while 500 similar homes in my area stayed flat. Weather was normal. This warrants meter verification."
Learn moreComparison Myths vs Reality
What people assume vs. what the data shows.
- Claim
"You use more than average" utility reports
TruthAverage of WHAT? We compare you to homes that actually match yours - similar size, age, and weather zone.
- Claim
Smart thermostats save everyone 20%
TruthDepends on your baseline. If you already adjust manually, savings are less. We show your actual opportunity.
- Claim
"Your neighborhood" is a fair comparison
TruthApartments next to mansions? Not useful. We group by home characteristics, not just geography.
- Claim
Solar homes are "efficient"
TruthSolar reduces bills, not usage. We separate solar homes so comparisons are apples-to-apples.
- Claim
High usage means something is wrong
TruthMaybe. But family of 6 will use more than couple who travels. Context matters more than raw numbers.
How "Efficient Homes" Get There
The top 25% aren't magic - they just do these things consistently.
- LED lighting: replace all bulbs - LEDs use 75% less electricity
- Window management: blinds closed during day, blackout curtains, window film
- Refrigerator check: clean coils, check seals, proper temp settings
Remember: "Efficient homes" aren't suffering. They're just not wasting. You don't have to live in discomfort - just plug the obvious leaks and your usage drops naturally.
Questions About Neighbor Comparison
We use a combination of public property records (square footage, year built, assessed value), meter data patterns (suggesting AC type, pool, etc.), your ZIP code's climate zone, and any details you provide. We're not comparing your 2,400 sq ft home to a studio apartment or a 5,000 sq ft mansion.
Better. Utility reports often compare you to 'neighbors' which could include vastly different homes. We match on actual home characteristics. Plus, we update more frequently and provide actionable insights, not just 'you use X% more than average.'
You can update your home profile in the Members Portal. Tell us about pools, hot tubs, electric vehicles, number of occupants - anything that affects usage. More accurate input means more useful comparisons.
Typically 500-2,000 similar homes, depending on how specific your profile is. A 2,000 sq ft home built in 2005 in the Houston area has lots of matches. A unique property might have fewer, and we'll tell you if the comparison group is small.
'Similar Homes' is your peer group - homes like yours, all usage levels included. 'Efficient Homes' is the top 25% of that group - what's achievable if you optimize. This shows your potential, not just your position.
Yes - if you suddenly spike above your comparison group during normal weather, something changed. Either your behavior (guests, new appliance) or a problem (failing equipment). Combined with our spike alerts, it's powerful for catching issues.
Where Do You Stand?
Get meaningful context for your usage. See how you compare to homes that actually match yours - not random "neighbors."