Turning Data into Smart Decisions: How a Free Energy Audit Changed My Perspective

I’ve always considered myself fairly energy conscious. 

I turn off lights when I leave a room, run full loads in the dishwasher and laundry, and keep my thermostat at a reasonable temperature. So, when I saw a recent email touting the benefits of the HomeIntel program, it piqued my interest.

My curiosity led me to sign up. HomeIntel, run by Home Energy Analytics, is a free program offered to all PG&E customers with a Smart Meter, and helps you identify and combat energy drainers, suggests upgrades and offers simple, no-cost and low-cost changes to help save money.  On average, the program saves customers $350 a year. 

Enrolling was simple. After answering a series of online questions about my home, I created my Smart Audit account, which included a detailed analysis of my household’s energy use patterns. 

My power profile revealed two trouble spots: my rate plan and high idle load use, or lots of devices running all day. The report estimated about $500 in wasted energy a year. Ouch!

HomeIntel also assigns customers a personal energy coach. Mine was knowledgeable, friendly, and emailed me within a few days of my online registration. A tip: if you don’t see an email, check your spam folder! 

Over the phone, my coach told me that my household energy use is average, but there’s room for improvement. He suggested I reduce my idle load by making changes to my laundry habits. Specifically, he recommended using cold water and high spin cycles to cut drying time, which he said can account for 80% of laundry energy use. 

He also recommended switching to a flat rate plan to save around $150 a year. He also suggested I monitor my electric vehicle (EV) charging to see if an EV rate would be more beneficial.  PG&E customers can easily find their lowest-cost rate plan online. 

Looking ahead, he advised replacing my eight-year-old water heater with a heat pump model in about five years, since most last 12-15 years.

My coach is available to answer any additional questions over email or by phone, and I have my next check-in scheduled for next year.

For anyone hesitant to sign up, here is my advice: Do it! Do not underestimate how much energy you’re using. 

HomeIntel is absolutely worth the time. I’m going to start with the simple, no-cost changes my coach recommended for some easy wins now and bigger savings down the road.

About the author

 Adrienne Moore joined PG&E’s Marketing and Communications team in 2023. A busy mom of two boys, she is passionate about helping customers save energy and money, sharing energy efficiency tips and tools, and making bill support programs easy to understand and accessible for all. Her goal is to ensure customers feel supported when managing their energy needs.