Subject Line, Header, and Footer
The subject line and header are used to engage the customer and brand the communication. The footer provides customers with links to manage preferences and unsubscribe from the email channel. It also contains the utility address, necessary legal text, and optional app download and social media links. The user experience varies by report type.
Appears in: All report types.
On this page:
Requirements
Utility Requirements
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Category |
Description |
|---|---|
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Required Cloud Service |
Oracle Utilities Opower Energy Efficiency Cloud Service |
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Scale |
Not applicable. |
Customer Requirements
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Category |
Description |
|---|---|
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Billing Frequency |
Not applicable. |
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Data Delivery Frequency |
Not applicable. |
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Data Requirements |
For the Promotion Report header, the Oracle Utilities Opower platform requires data about how much energy customers used in specific end-use categories, such as heating or cooling, so that the top three categories can be highlighted. Minimum: The minimum requirement is to have average energy use data for households in a utility's region. This data is typically obtained from public data sources and is used as a baseline for the Home Energy Analysis survey. Responses to the survey can then be used to determine a breakdown of how customers used energy in different categories. Recommended: The recommended approach is to use Oracle Utilities Opower data science models to generate more accurate energy use disaggregation results. In this case, the data requirements include a combination of billed usage data, daily or subdaily AMI data, and weather data. Your Delivery Team will work with you to explain the specific requirements and help you identify the best approach for your situation. |
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Data History |
Depending on which Oracle Utilities Opower data approach is used, one of the following data history requirements may apply for the Promotion Report header:
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Data Coverage |
Depending on which Oracle Utilities Opower data approach is used, the data coverage requirements for the Promotion Report header may include subdaily AMI data and temperature data points. |
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Supported Fuels |
All fuel types. |
User Experience
The user experience for the subject line, header, and footer varies slightly depending on the report type.
Subject Line
The subject line is designed by Oracle Utilities to engage customers. All subject lines include a customer’s name, as our research has shown that including the customer's name results in a higher open rate.
Annual Report: The default subject line is designed to shift the customer's focus to their energy use over the last calendar year. "[first name, last name], here’s your [YYYY] Energy Lookback"
Usage Lookback Report: "[ first name, last name] Your Home Energy Report is here"
Electric Vehicle Report: Utilities have the choice of using a standard default subject line each time: "[ first name, last name] Your Home Energy Report is here."
Limited Income Report: The subject line varies by report type:
- Limited Income Welcome Report: "[first name], check out your new Home Energy Report"
- Limited Income Progress Report: Utilities have the choice of using a standard default subject line ("[ first name, last name] Your Home Energy Report is here") or choosing dynamic subject lines that vary based on customer state.
Peak Focused Report: The default subject lines are designed to acknowledge the time of use plan experience. The subject line varies by report type:
- Peak Focused Welcome Report: "[first name], check out the new Home Energy Report"
- Peak Focused Progress Report: "[ first name, last name] Your Home Energy Report is here"
Progress Report: Utilities have the choice of using a standard default subject line each time "[ first name, last name] Your Home Energy Report is here" or choosing a dynamic subject lines that vary based on customer state.
Promotional Report: The subject line varies by disaggregation category. For example, it may show the customer's name and ask how much they are spending on a disaggregation category such as heating, cooling, or appliances.
Seasonal Report: The default subject line is designed to shift the customer's focus to seasonal energy efficiency. "Hi [ first name, last name], see how much energy you used last [winter/summer]"
Solar Report: The Solar Report includes a static subject line that emphasizes that the customer is part of a solar report experience. The subject line varies by report type:
- Solar Welcome Report: "Hi [first name] your Home Energy Report for solar households is here"
- Solar Progress Report: "Hi [first name], your Home Energy Report is here"
Time of Use Report: The default subject lines are designed to acknowledge the time of use plan experience. The subject line varies by report type:
- Time of Use Welcome Report: "[first name], check out the new Home Energy Report"
- Time of Use Progress Report: "[ first name, last name] Your Home Energy Report is here"
Welcome Report: "[first name], check out your new Home Energy Report"
Header
The report headers are distinct and appear at the top of each communication. Most of the report headers simply provide a colorful introduction. The header of the Promotion Report is unique in that it highlights three energy end-uses in the customer's home where their usage is the highest and they may benefit from taking action to lower their usage.
Appears in: All report types.
Annual Report
This image is an example of the Annual Report header.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility.
Utility Account Number: The inclusion of the account number makes the report more credible and signals that this is in fact a communication from the utility. Part of the account number is obscured by default.
Annual Introduction: The image provides a colorful introduction to the report.
- Heading: The heading alerts customers that now is the time to take a look back over their energy use for the previous calendar year.
- Subheading: The subheading identifies the calendar year encompassed in the report and identifies the customer's fuel type.
- Illustration: A colorful illustration that includes a laptop displaying the Efficiency Zone or three-bar Neighbor Comparison visually connects the Annual Report to the larger report experience.
Electric Vehicle Report
This image is an example of the Electric Vehicle Report header for an existing customer.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility. This is the same logo used in the Energy Efficiency Web Portal.
Utility account number: The customer's utility account number.
Electric Vehicle Introduction: The electric vehicle introduction image provides a colorful introduction to the report. It includes the customer's name and the report name. The illustration is of a home with a charging electric vehicle.
- New Customers: If the customer is entirely new to the program or it is their first Home Energy Report, the text is "Sarah, Here's your new Home Energy Report"
- Legacy Customer: If the customer has previously received an Email Home Energy Report, the text does not include the word "new."
Limited Income Report
The Limited Income (LMI) Report educates limited income customers about ways to be more energy efficient and presents opportunities for them to reduce their immediate and future bills. There are two types of LMI reports and corresponding headers: the Welcome Report header and the Progress Report header.
Peak Focused Report
This image is an example of the Peak Focused Report header for an existing customer.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility. This is the same logo used in the Energy Efficiency Web Portal.
Utility account number: The customer's utility account number.
Peak Focused Introduction: The header provides a colorful introduction to the report with an illustration that echoes the report theme with images of homes paired with time based rate icons.
- New Customers: If the customer is entirely new to the program or it is their first Home Energy Report, the text is "Sarah, Here's your new Home Energy Report"
- Legacy Customer: If the customer has previously received an Email Home Energy Report, the text does not include the word "new."
Progress Report
This image is an example of the header for the Progress Report, Limited Income Progress Report, and Time of Use Progress Report.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility. This is the same logo used in the Energy Efficiency Web Portal.
Utility Account Number: Since the account number is required to register on the Energy Efficiency Web Portal, having the number on the report provides a useful reference for customers. Part of the account number is obscured by default.
Progress Introduction: The progress introduction provides a colorful introduction to the report. It includes the customer's name, program introduction, and report name.
Promotion Report
This image is an example of the Promotion Report header.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility.
Utility Account Number: The inclusion of the account number makes the report more credible and signals that this is in fact a communication from the Utility. Part of the account number is obscured by default.
Promotion Introduction: The Promotion Introduction highlights three end-uses in the customer home where their use is the highest or they may benefit from making behavioral changes and taking advantage of a utility-offered promotion.
Seasonal Report
These images are examples of the Seasonal Report headers.
Winter Seasonal Report
Summer Seasonal Report
Logo: A logo provided by the utility.
Utility Account Number: The inclusion of the account number makes the report more credible and signals that this is in fact a communication from the Utility. Part of the account number is obscured by default.
Seasonal Introduction: The image provides a colorful introduction to the report deigned to motivate customers to reduce their energy use in the lead up to the extreme weather seasons of summer and winter.
Solar Report
This image is an example of the Solar Report header.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility. This is the same logo used in the Energy Efficiency Web Portal.
Utility Account Number: Since the account number is required to register on the Energy Efficiency Web Portal, having the number on the report provides a useful reference for customers. Part of the account number is obscured by default.
Solar Introduction: The solar introduction provides a colorful introduction to the report. It includes the customer's name, program introduction, and report name.
- New Customers: If the customer is entirely new to the program or it is their first Home Energy Report, the text is "Sarah, Here's your new Home Energy Report"
- Legacy Customer: If the customer has previously received an Email Home Energy Report, the text does not include the word "new."
Time of Use Report
The Time of Use Report provides customers on a Time of Use energy plan with a report experience that is focused on overall energy savings and rate education. There are two types of Time of Use Reports and corresponding headers: the Welcome Report header and Progress Report header.
Usage Lookback Report
This image is an example of the header for the Usage Lookback Report header.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility.
Utility Account Number: The inclusion of the account number makes the report more credible and signals that this is in fact a communication from the Utility. Part of the account number is obscured by default.
Usage Lookback Introduction: The introduction tells customers what to expect in this Home Energy Report and signals to the customer that the email is different than the standard Progress report:
- Heading: The heading alerts customers that now is the time to take a look back at their gas use.
- Subheading: The subheading tells the customer that the report will show them information about their gas usage during the previous gas season and provide tips to save more.
- Illustration: A colorful illustration that includes a laptop displaying the three bar normative comparison. It does not include an electrical socket.
Welcome Report
This image is an example of the header for the Welcome Report, Limited Income Welcome Report, and Time of Use Welcome Report header.
Logo: A logo provided by the utility.
Utility Account Number: The inclusion of the account number makes the report more credible and signals that this is in fact a communication from the Utility. Part of the account number is obscured by default.
Welcome Introduction: The welcome introduction image provides a colorful introduction to the report. It includes the customer's name, program introduction, and report name. The word "new" is included in the to emphasize that this is a welcome experience.
Footer
The footer is included at the bottom of every report and includes components that provide more context about the report, such as the utility's contact information and legal disclaimers.
This image is an example of the Footer module.
Utility Address: The utility's mailing address. The mailing address must appear due to CAN-SPAM regulations in the US and similar regulations abroad.
Manage Preferences: A link to the Energy Efficiency Web Portal page or utility page where a customer can edit their report preferences.
Unsubscribe: A link to a page where customers can unsubscribe from email Home Energy Reports. An unsubscribe link must appear due to CAN-SPAM regulations in the US and similar regulations abroad. The URL the unsubscribe link points to cannot be customized. Unsubscribing from email reports in this manner unsubscribes the customer from all Oracle Utilities Opower email communications. This action is permanent. A customer cannot opt in again after opting out of email Home Energy Reports.
Disclaimer: This is an optional disclaimer that can be customized or removed at the request of the utility.
Legal Text: This is the copyright and any other legal text required by the utility or Oracle Utilities.
App Download and Social Media Links: Optional app download and social media links that can be added at the request of the utility.
User Experience Variations
The user experience of the feature may vary for customers and utilities depending on their service types (gas, electricity, dual fuel, and so on), available data, costs, locale, and other factors.
Annual Report Header
The annual report header varies depending on the customer fuel type and normative comparison type.
Fuel Type: The subheading changes depending on the customer’s fuel type.
- Electricity: "A review of your [yyyy] electricity use and how to save more this year"
- Dual: "A review of your [yyyy} energy use and how to save more this year"
- Gas: "A review of your [yyyy} gas use and how to save more this year"
Normative Comparison Type: Customers that receive the Three-Bar Neighbor Comparison variant of the report will see a 3-bar graph version of the illustration. Customers who receive the Efficiency Zone version of the report will see a corresponding Efficiency Zone illustration.