Time of Day Module

The Time of Day module identifies the time of day in which the customer tends to use the most energy and expresses this as a percentage, so that the customer knows when to focus on being more energy-efficient. The usage value represents usage-to-date within the current bill period. The six-hour time period with the most usage is highlighted, while the other three time periods display in a faded color.

Requirements

Same as listed in Requirements and Limitations. Additionally, hourly or sub-hourly AMI data for the customer is required. If such data is not available, this module is hidden from view. For example, the module will not be displayed for customers who have daily AMI data. The alert is sent with or without the module.

Limitations

Fuel Type: This module supports data for gas and electricity, and is included in emails as follows:

  • Electric-Only: This module is included in the email once and shows electric information. Note that this module can be replaced with BLS insights for customers on TOU or Demand rate electric plans.
  • Gas-Only: This module is included in the email once and shows gas information.
  • Combined Gas and Electric: This module is included in the message twice. Once to display electric and once to display gas information. Note that the module that displays electric information can be replaced with BLS insights for customers on TOU or Demand rate electric plans.
  • Water-Only: This module is not displayed.
  • Combined Water and Electric: The module is included in the email once, and shows electric information. A module is not included for water. Note that the module that displays electric information can be replaced with BLS insights for customers on TOU or Demand rate electric plans.
  • Only One Fuel Type Has a Forecast: If only one fuel type has a forecast, the alert can revert to a single fuel communication.

User Experience

This section describes the common user experience with the module.

Heading: The module heading tells the user that this data will show them when they use the most electricity.

Insight Statement: The insight statement indicates when energy was used the most. The statement varies slightly depending on which time period is highlighted.

Graph: The usage value represents usage-to-date within the current bill period. The six-hour time period with the most usage is highlighted, while the other three time periods display in a faded color.

Time Period: The time period is displayed near the bottom of the module and describes the date range that the data represents. The time period covers the period-to-date, which represents the day that the bill period began to the day that the communication was generated.

See More Electricity Trends Button: This button should direct users to the utility's website where they can view more information about their usage trends. Opower recommends directing to the Oracle Utilities Opower Data Browser.


This image shows an example of the module.

User Experience Variations

This section describes the user experience variations in the Time of Day module.

Multiple High-Use Periods (Tie State)

Customers can have a tie with regard to which time period uses the most energy. This module varies based on whether there are 1, 2, 3, or 4 periods with the same highest usage. The module highlights all periods that tie for the highest usage, and the insight statement varies as follows:

  • Two-way tie: Think about what's using <fuel type> in the <period1> and <period2>.
  • Three-way tie: Think about what's using <fuel type> in the <period1>, <period2>, and <period3>.
  • All periods use the same: You are using an equal amount of <fuel type> throughout the day.