Seattle City Light customers will soon have a new tool to help them track their energy usage and get personalized recommendations for improving their energy efficiency thanks to a partnership between City Light and Microsoft. Seattle City Light customers will soon have a new tool to help them track their energy usage and get personalized recommendations for improving their energy efficiency thanks to a partnership between City Light and Microsoft.
Microsoft announced a free online application called Hohm today that analyzes users’ energy data, home features and appliances then provides personalized energy saving recommendations, which could range from placing new caulking on windows and removing air leaks to installing a programmable thermostat. The name is a combination of “home” and “ohm,” which is the standard unit of measure for electrical resistance.
“As a publicly-owned utility, we produce low-cost, environmentally responsible power,” said Seattle City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco. “Microsoft Hohm will give our customers information that lets them make smart decisions about their energy use while potentially saving money.”
City Light is one of only four utilities in the country to partner with Microsoft on the Hohm application, which is expected to launch soon.
Hohm uses advanced analytics licensed from Lawrence Berkeley Labs and the Department of Energy to power its data crunching and identify appropriate recommendations.
“Microsoft and Seattle City Light share a similar commitment to advancing the conservation efforts of consumers,” said Craig Mundie, Microsoft’s chief research and strategy officer. “Software is strategic in addressing the energy challenge. With Microsoft Hohm, Seattle City Light can offer their customers an easy to use tool to start saving money and cut back their energy consumption.”
To learn more about how Hohm works, visit www.seattle.gov/light or www.microsoft-hohm.com, where you can also sign up to be notified by Microsoft when the Beta version of Hohm is released.
Seattle City Light is a national leader in energy conservation. The utility has promoted energy conservation for more than 30 years and has set a goal of doubling the community’s energy savings over the next five years.
Numerous incentives and rebates are available to help customers improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses. Among them are discounts on compact fluorescent light bulbs, rebates on energy efficient light fixtures and washing machines, rebates for recycling an old refrigerator and a rebate on the installation of a ductless heat pump.