Frequently Asked Questions
Why was I selected to be in the Home Energy Report program?
Approximately one-half of PWP’s customers were randomly selected to receive these reports as part of a pilot program to promote energy efficiency. We hope that this program helps you save on energy and costs.
Can I opt OUT of this program?
We are providing this service as an educational tool to help you understand your home's energy use and to share ideas on how you might save money. If you don't find this program useful, give us a call at (626) 744-6970 and we can remove you from the program, or go to the web portal and select the "Report Settings" tab under "My Account."
Can I opt IN to the program?
Opting in is not possible this time. If the pilot program proves successful, PWP will consider expanding the program to all customers.
Meanwhile, we encourage all our customers to take advantage of both our web resources for saving energy and our energy efficiency rebate programs.
Can I go paperless?
Yes, you can go paperless with just email delivery, or you can get both print and email reports. Select the "Report Settings" tab under "My Account."
Why are you spending money to send these reports?
The Home Energy Report program, developed by third-party provider OPOWER, has been successfully deployed at utilities nationwide and has consistently delivered between 1.5 and 3.5 percent in average energy savings across the participant pool.
The reports offer a valuable overview of your energy use along with customized solutions to help you become more energy efficient. The energy you save will help us avoid building new power plants and avoid power shortages at times when you need energy the most.
Neighbor Comparison FAQs
How did you choose the homes used in my household comparisons?
To ensure your comparison is valid, we confidentially compare homes with energy needs like yours based on the homes' characteristics. Your Household Comparison collects data from approximately 100 occupied, nearby homes that are similar in size to yours and have electricity and/or natural gas service. The comparison is compiled anonymously and not shared with anyone else—only you will know how your use compares to similar homes.
Why don’t I have any neighbors shown for comparison?
In certain instances, such as customers with solar photovoltaic systems, the program is unable to find similar neighbors. You can still track your own energy usage and get relevant tips.
Are you comparing my home to vacant homes?
No. We do not include homes that appear to be vacant based on low energy use during the comparison period.
What if there are good reasons that my household uses more energy than the similar homes?
We try our best to provide you with a comparison that will help you make decisions about saving energy and money using comparable data from homes that are similar to yours. Our research shows that for almost all residents this average is a good indication of typical energy use. However, there are some factors that we don't report, such as the number of occupants in the home and special energy needs like hot tubs and swimming pools.
How do efficient similar homes use so much less energy than me?
Energy-efficient households may take a variety of steps to reduce their energy use, including turning off lights and electronics when not in use and always running full loads in the dishwasher, washer and dryer. The reports provide customized tips to help you make your home more efficient.
I have special equipment—such as a spa, pool or energy-intensive medical device—that uses a lot of energy. So what can I learn from my Household Comparison?
As an educational tool, Home Energy Reports are designed to show you how much energy your home uses in comparison to other homes that are similar and nearby. You may already know that there is a particular reason why your home uses more energy. In this case, the report offers ideas for how you can reduce your overall use and lower the energy bills you pay.
Don't factors other than size of home and heater type influence energy use?
Of course. Efficient households take a number of the steps that we recommend to reduce their energy use. The number and types of appliances and electronic equipment in the home influence utility consumption, as do the number of people in the home and the amount of time that they are at home. Some of these factors are in your ability to control. This report will help you decide whether or not to make changes.
Privacy Concerns
Will the City share this information with others?
No. PWP does not reveal individual customer information to third parties. PWP provides individual data to OPOWER in order to generate these reports, but OPOWER does not reveal individual data to third parties pursuant to their privacy policy.
Will the City use this information to charge me more for utilities?
No, the information is solely for your personal use.
Will anyone else know about my usage?
No, your personal information is only provided to you. For all other comparisons, average numbers are used, so that all individual customer's energy usage is private and confidential.
ANSWERS TO MORE QUESTIONS about the program can be found through the web portal.