Home Energy Report FAQs
About the program
What is the purpose of the program?
Most people are eager to make their home more efficient and save money, but they're not always sure how. The Hawaii Energy Home Energy Reports program is designed to provide more information about your energy use so you can make informed choices and save money.
A primary purpose of this program is to contribute to the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative goal of reducing total electricity use by 4,300,000,000 KWh by 2030.
This program is administered by Hawaii Energy. Hawaii Energy, Your Conservation and Efficiency Program is the result of the Hawaii Legislature allowing the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to move the Energy Efficiency Programs from the Electric Utilities to an independent third party administrator. Hawaii Energy is a ratepayer-funded conservation and efficiency program administered by SAIC under contract with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission serving the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.
How is my information being treated? Other privacy concerns:
- Each report will compare a recipient’s energy usage against 100 anonymous customers who live in similarly-sized homes that are close in proximity. Homes are chosen based upon a defined set of characteristics, including home type and size.
- The neighbor comparison feature is designed to maintain 100% privacy. The data is always presented in aggregate; the report only shows an average of 100 anonymous customers.
- Only the customer’s own detailed energy information is included in the reports. Customers only see the energy comparison representing the average of 100 anonymous neighbors.
- Customers that do not want to receive the reports can simply opt out of the program. (To date, less than 2% of customers have chosen to opt out.)
To learn more, please call Hawaii Energy at 808-537-5577 or 877-231-8222.
Who is Hawaii Energy and why do they have my information?
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has contracted with Hawaii Energy to administer energy efficiency and conservation programs on the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. As part of this agreement with the Public Utilities Commission, HECO regularly sends customer account data to Hawaii Energy, which is used to provide these Home Energy Reports as a public service. All data is transferred and stored securely to protect the confidentiality and privacy of Hawaii residents.
Where can I learn more?
Set up an account on our web portal to see more tips to save money and to learn more about this program. www.HawaiiEnergy.com/HomeEnergyReport
Who was selected to be a part of the program?
15,000 Hawaiian households in Oahu were selected to be included in the initial Home Energy Reports program. The program is intended to help these households save energy and lower their energy bill. We expect to expand the program over time, at which point additional islands will be included in the program.
Can I be added to the program?
Unfortunately we cannot add additional households to the program at this time. However, we expect to expand the program over time, at which point we may be able to include you in the program. In the interim, visit http://www.Hawaiienergy.com to learn about our many other energy efficiency programs.
What is in the report?
Home Energy Reports are designed to provide new information to help you understand your home's energy use and find smart ways to make your home more efficient. Each report will provide you with new information including:
- Information on your home's energy use: For the first time, you'll be able to see your home's energy use in the context of the energy use of your neighbors' homes that are nearby and similar in size.
- Progress tracking: You'll also see how your home's energy use changes over time and across seasons.
- Ideas on Energy Efficiency: On each report, you can find ways to save energy, including information on the rebates and other special programs we offer.
Can I opt out of this program?
Yes. The reports are provided to help you understand your home energy use, save energy and reduce your energy costs. If you would like to opt out, you can do so in the "My Account" section of this website or by calling 808-537-5577 or 877-231-8222.
Are my Home Energy Reports available by email?
Yes. To go paperless, log-in to your account and select “Email only” under Report Settings on the My Account page of the web portal www.HawaiiEnergy.com/HomeEnergyReport or by calling 808-537-5577.
Will I be charged anything to participate in the program?
No, Hawaii Energy is funding this program and is providing it without any direct cost to you.
About the neighbor comparison
Who are my neighbors?
Your energy use is being compared to the usage patterns of a group of about 100 neighbors whose homes are close to yours and similar in size. This neighbor comparison feature is designed to maintain 100% privacy. The data is always presented in aggregate; the report only shows an average of 100 anonymous customers. Only your own detailed energy information is included in the reports.
How did you choose the homes used in my neighbor comparisons?
To provide valid comparisons, we've chosen specific homes that are nearby and have characteristics that typically lead to similar energy needs, such as home size. And importantly, we only include homes that appear to be occupied at the time of the comparison.
What if there are good reasons that my household uses more energy than my neighbors?
While the homes included in your neighbor group provide a good indication of typical energy use for comparison, some factors can affect how your energy use stacks up against your neighbors. For example, if the number of people living in your home is greater than average, or if you have equipment such as a hot tub, swimming pool or multiple refrigerators, your energy use could be higher than your neighbors’.
I have certain life or housing circumstances, such as energy-intensive medical equipment, that prevent me from reducing my energy use. So how can these reports help me?
It's understandable that some people may have life or housing circumstances that make it difficult to reduce their home's energy use. We aim to provide a wide range of ideas that can address the various needs of our customers and their homes. We encourage you to find out which tips are best for you and search for more ideas. In some cases, you may not be able to realize substantial savings, but we've found that most people can realize at least some savings and we hope we can help you do so.
How can my efficient neighbors manage to use so much less energy than me?
Efficient households likely take a variety of steps to reduce their electricity use, including using the thermostat to manage heating and cooling costs, turning off lights and electronics when not in use and always running full loads in the dishwasher, washer and dryer. The reports provide actionable steps that you can take to help you make your home more efficient.
How do you determine the size of my home and how do I update it?
The square footage of your home that we use in the Home Energy Report is based on data that is collected from your county assessor's office about your home. If the square footage on your report is not correct, you can change it in the "My Account" section of the website www.HawaiiEnergy.com/HomeEnergyReport or by calling 808-537-5577.