Energy Use Benchmark

The Energy Use Benchmark module provides a dynamic and personalized, at-a-glance interpretation of the customer’s energy use. Energy use is categorized into one of the three sections or statuses: Fair, Good, and Great. The customer's status is determined by their performance relative to their Efficiency Zone or Neighbor Comparison modules.

Appears in: Progress Report, Limited Income Report, Time of Use Report, Solar Report

Energy Use Benchmark Examples

Energy Use Benchmark

The image below is an example of the Energy Use Benchmark module design for the Progress Report, Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report

Image of Energy Use Benchmark module's design for the Progress Report , Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report

Solar Energy Use Benchmark

The Solar Energy Use Benchmark accommodates negative energy states experienced by solar customers. The image below is an example of the Solar Energy Use Benchmark.

Image of the Solar Energy Use Benchmark

Configuration Options

For each element listed in the table, indicate the desired configuration in the Input Value column. If you do not provide an input for optional configurations, the default will be used.

Configuration Option	Input Value
Benchmark Header The heading notifies the customer that the benchmark gives them an at-a-glance view of their energy use. It also includes the customer's fuel type. Progress Report, Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report Default: "Your <fuel type variation> use at a glance." Solar Report Default: "Your net energy at a glance"	Optional Contact Your Delivery Team about configuring the benchmark header.
Color Labels The benchmark has three potential states, and each corresponds to a color. The labels (Fair, Good, and Great) are configurable. However, the default labels and colors have been rigorously tested to maximize user comprehension and are strongly recommended. Progress Report, Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report Default: Orange: Fair. Customer is using more than Similar Homes. Yellow: Good. Customer is using more than Efficiency Zone /Efficient Neighbors threshold, but less than Similar Homes. Green: Great. Customer is using less than the Efficiency Zone/Efficient Neighbors threshold. Solar Report Default: Orange: Fair. The customer's net energy was positive and more than similar homes. Yellow: Good. One of the following: Net energy was positive and less than similar homes Net energy was negative and more than similar homes Net energy was negative and more than efficient homes, but less than similar homes Yellow: Good (High to Low State Change). Lowered net energy use. Green: Great. The customer's net energy was positive or negative, and an efficient home.	Optional Choose one of the following: Use the default labels. Contact Your Delivery Team
Benchmark Copy The copy below the gauge tells the customer how they can leverage the report or recognizes a change in state. Default: Progress Report, Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report Default: The default copy varies by fuel type and changes depending on the customer’s energy use. Solar Report Default: "Use this report to lower your net energy and get the most out of your solar panels."	Optional Choose one of the following: Use the default labels. Contact Your Delivery Team about configuring the benchmark copy.

Configuration Option

Input Value

Benchmark Header

The heading notifies the customer that the benchmark gives them an at-a-glance view of their energy use. It also includes the customer's fuel type.

Progress Report, Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report Default: "Your <fuel type variation> use at a glance."
Solar Report Default: "Your net energy at a glance"

Optional

Contact Your Delivery Team about configuring the benchmark header.

Color Labels

The benchmark has three potential states, and each corresponds to a color. The labels (Fair, Good, and Great) are configurable. However, the default labels and colors have been rigorously tested to maximize user comprehension and are strongly recommended.

Progress Report, Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report Default:

Orange: Fair. Customer is using more than Similar Homes.
Yellow: Good. Customer is using more than Efficiency Zone /Efficient Neighbors threshold, but less than Similar Homes.
Green: Great. Customer is using less than the Efficiency Zone/Efficient Neighbors threshold.

Solar Report Default:

Orange: Fair. The customer's net energy was positive and more than similar homes.
Yellow: Good. One of the following:
- Net energy was positive and less than similar homes
- Net energy was negative and more than similar homes
- Net energy was negative and more than efficient homes, but less than similar homes
Yellow: Good (High to Low State Change). Lowered net energy use.
Green: Great. The customer's net energy was positive or negative, and an efficient home.

Optional

Choose one of the following:

Use the default labels.
Contact Your Delivery Team

Benchmark Copy

The copy below the gauge tells the customer how they can leverage the report or recognizes a change in state.

Default:

Progress Report, Limited Income Report, and Time of Use Report Default: The default copy varies by fuel type and changes depending on the customer’s energy use.
Solar Report Default: "Use this report to lower your net energy and get the most out of your solar panels."

Optional

Choose one of the following:

Use the default labels.
Contact Your Delivery Team about configuring the benchmark copy.

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. For more information, see the Energy Use Benchmark description in the Oracle Utilities Opower Energy Efficiency Cloud Service Product Overview and go to the User Experience Variations section.