Disaggregation FAQs
These FAQs relate to report modules which display "disaggregation" insights, or insights about how a customer's total energy use is broken down into specific categories such as heating, cooling, or lighting.
For example, the Disaggregation Main Insight module (print version, email version) and the What Uses Most module (print version, email version) both contain disaggregation insights. Customers may wonder about where these insights come from or how they are generated.
- How do you calculate my energy use for each category?
- The value for X category looks incorrect. How was it calculated?
- How can these values be more accurate?
- Will this breakdown impact my bill in any way?
- What appliance usage values can be identified using smart meter data?
- How soon will I see changes after you or I make an update?
- How many appliances can be included in the breakdown?
How do you calculate my energy use for each category?
The calculation varies depending on whether or not you have a smart meter.
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If you don't have a smart meter or reliable smart meter data is not available: We use a combination of weather data and your historical usage data to get an idea of how energy is being used in your home over time, as well the Energy Analysis survey responses that are personalized to your home. With this information, our data science models can create an estimated breakdown of your usage by category or appliance so that you know where to focus and save.
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If you do have a smart meter: We use data from your smart meter, which records your energy use throughout the day, to detect certain appliance usage patterns and get an idea of how energy is being used in your home.
For example, it is common for a refrigerator to cycle on every 15-20 minutes to reach the desired temperature and then turn off. Our data science models can spot patterns like this from a refrigerator and other common appliances to determine which appliances are being used and when to help estimate per-appliance usage in your home. We then provide an estimated breakdown of your usage by appliance so you know where to focus and save.
The value for X category looks incorrect. How was it calculated?
The value for each category is an estimate based on your past energy use, weather patterns, and your home characteristics.
The goal with the household-level energy breakdown is to provide accurate enough information to help customers make informed decisions about how to best manage their energy and costs. Creating a breakdown that is 100% accurate is exceptionally difficult. We don't have separate meters for individual appliances that would provide us perfectly accurate usage values. We have to make some educated guesses based off the best information we have available.
Should we take a look at the information we have about your home?
Instructions for CSRs:
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See the calculation FAQ above for a detailed explanation you can share about how the breakdown is calculated.
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See the update FAQ below for steps on how to update a customer's information through the Home Energy Analysis survey.
How can these values be more accurate?
All estimates are based on your past energy use, weather patterns, and your home characteristics. The more information we know about your home, the more accurate the estimates will be.
The goal with the household-level energy breakdown is to provide accurate enough information to help customers make informed decisions about how to best manage their energy and costs. Creating a breakdown that is 100% accurate is exceptionally difficult. We don't have separate meters for individual appliances that would provide us perfectly accurate usage values. We have to make some educated guesses based off the best information we have available.
The best way to make your breakdown more accurate is to provide us with more details about your home through the Home Energy Analysis. The Home Energy Analysis is a survey that captures information about the appliances you have in your home and how you use them. You can take the survey on your own if your utility provides it to you. Or I can look at it for you, and we can confirm that the information we have about your home is correct.
Should we take a look at the information that you have on file?
Instructions for CSRs:
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Action |
Steps |
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Check the customer's Home Energy Analysis survey. |
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Note to CSRs: If your utility offers the Home Energy Analysis survey to customers, then inform the customer that this tool is available for them to review and update periodically to confirm the details are correct. If you're not sure whether your utility offers Home Energy Analysis to customers, contact your supervisor to verify.
My breakdown includes an appliance I don't use. How can I get it removed?
The goal with the household-level energy breakdown is to provide accurate enough information to help customers make informed decisions about how to best manage their energy and costs. Creating a breakdown that is 100% accurate is exceptionally difficult. We don't have separate meters for individual appliances that would provide us perfectly accurate usage values. We have to make some educated guesses based off the best information we have available.
The best way to update your breakdown is to provide us with additional details about your home through the Home Energy Analysis. The Home Energy Analysis is a survey that captures information about the appliances you have in your home and how you use them. You can take the survey on your own if your utility provides it to you. Or I can look at it for you, and we can confirm that the information we have about your home is correct.
Should we take a look at the information that you have on file?
Instructions for CSRs:
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See the calculation FAQ above for a detailed explanation you can share if the customer wants more information about how their breakdown was calculated.
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See the update FAQ above for steps on how to update a customer's information through the Home Energy Analysis survey.
Will this breakdown impact my bill in any way?
No. The information surfaced in the energy use breakdown is for educational purposes only. This information will not be used for bill determination.
What appliance usage values can be identified using smart meter data?
We can determine usage values for the following appliance categories using a smart meter data:
- Water Heating
- Refrigeration
- Oven
- Dishwasher Use
- Laundry
- Electric Vehicle Charging (Level 2 charging only)
For appliances not included in this list, a combination of regional averages and Home Energy Analysis survey responses are used to determine usage values
Note: Some appliance categories, such as pools and water heaters, require validation through the Home Energy Analysis before we can surface related insights in your reports.
How soon will I see changes after you or I make an update?
After changes are made to your home information, you should see changes in your next report. If you're using the Home Energy Analysis survey tool on the web, then you should see some changes after you finish the survey.
How many appliances can be included in the breakdown?
The list of available appliance categories varies slightly depending on the characteristics of your home.
| Scenario | Available Categories |
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Note: Some appliance categories, such as pools and water heaters, require validation through the Home Energy Analysis before we can surface related insights in your reports.