December 7, 2023 We are all grappling with electricity costs, so it’s no surprise that people who rarely questioned their usage patterns are now exploring ways to enhance their consumption habits. In these uncertain times, getting insights from energy data and harnessing automation can make a difference in how we generate and use energy efficiency information. If you are a utility, bank, or home energy provider, you can use energy-saving suggestions and energy advice to take your offerings to the next level and transform customer relationships. Here’s how. Making energy data insights Behind any energy recommendations is an algorithm. What kind of algorithm? One that combines energy consumption data with data sources from the outside world, like market prices and weather. In other words, how someone’s consumption patterns compare to those of other people living in similar circumstances. This process begins with energy disaggregation but expands to incorporate machine learning and automation to get even better insights that can help reduce energy bills. For instance: Energy consumption data: Energy consumption data serves as the backbone of energy analysis and is primarily sourced from smart meters. It typically supports a range from hourly data points to monthly energy consumption, enabling a more granular understanding of consumption patterns that can inform targeted energy-saving strategies. Home profiles: Home profiles can provide a holistic view of a residence’s energy dynamics. It can include, for instance, information such as the size of a home, its heating system, different types of appliances used, solar panels, draught proofing, and other energy use factors that influence consumption. Weather data: Weather data acts as a critical external factor influencing energy consumption. For example, temperature data, precipitation, cloudiness, and other parameters that add value to energy insights. For example, understanding how temperature fluctuations impact heating and cooling needs allows for more accurate energy-saving recommendations tailored to specific weather conditions. Energy advice isn’t one-size-fits-all; it should be tailored to individual households and market dynamics. So, data from various other energy experts can be collated and adapted to specific situations. This way, households can receive targeted, well-informed recommendations that align with unique circumstances and contribute to more effective energy conservation. What kinds of insights can you get advice on? There are various features that can take advantage of these insights and provide valuable home improvement suggestions. For example, anomaly alerts can detect whether there are any strange behaviours or unusual energy consumption patterns. Energy usage categories can also estimate usage based on things like heating, cooling, fridges and freezers, or always on – giving customers a good idea about what is consuming the most in an electricity meter. Understanding a household is, on its own, a good strategy for saving money. However, it’s essential to be able to compare these trends with those of individuals facing comparable situations. There are a few ways to do this. For example, you can group consumers by rules such as heating system or house type, or even disaggregate the average household for usage data based on country or location. Turning data insights into advice to save energy An energy advising tool is designed to give you tips based on your specific energy usage and situation. For example, your location, patterns, and systems. Ultimately, the goal of this type of feature is to replace guesswork with actual data and offer actionable insights. Energy advice consists of three main components: energy data, home profiles, and user feedback. As we have covered in this article, a good home energy advice solution compiles these elements and creates a tailored list of suggestions to save money and make a home or building more energy-efficient. For example, by including potential actions and offering estimated savings in both kilowatt-hours (kWh) and currency. This dual perspective can empower users with a tangible understanding of the environmental impact and financial benefits associated with implementing these energy-saving measures. So, this approach ensures that the recommendations align with the unique needs and circumstances of each user, fostering a more sustainable and economical energy lifestyle. If you operate in the capacity of a utility, bank, or home service provider, integrating energy-saving suggestions and energy advice into your offerings can serve as a transformative strategy, elevating your relationship with customers to new heights. Eliq has been working in the energy space for a decade. Today, this Home Energy Transition Platform integrates energy consumption data with external data sources to deliver valuable insights and energy advice. Contact us today to book a demo. Similar Posts:Energy disaggregation 101: simple insights and benefits explained The Benefits of Monitoring Your Home Energy Data Energy saving tips: The good, the bad, and the ugly Previous Next