Do you use more energy than your neighbors?

More than 1 million U.S. households now receive reports on how their energy consumption compares with their neighbors as utilities encourage conservation, some with smiley faces for those doing well.

The reports

While that may sound small, the savings add up. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, which started sending the reports to 35,000 households in 2008, says the households saved enough energy in a year to power 800 homes for a year.

Dozens of companies provide products to help consumers manage home energy use, such as websites to monitor use. Opower is somewhat “unique in that it discusses the social norm,” says Teresa Mastrangelo, analyst with researcher Smart Grid Trends. “Everybody gets a utility bill. Few understand what the numbers mean,” she says.

USA Today