Case Study – Mr. And Mrs. Spencer Of Healdsburg, California

The following does well to illustrate the yoUtilBill Residential Energy Management ServiceSM and the sorts of results that can be expected.

The Situation
This summer, Rosalyn and Jack Spencer were approached by a solar panel vendor with a proposition to install solar panels on the roof of their 30 year-old house. The vendor indicated that installing the panels would nearly eliminate the Spencer's electricity bill, suggesting that about half of the installation would be funded by government incentives.

As responsible citizens, the Spencers wanted to make the right environmental decision. As prudent parents, they also wanted their decision to be economically sound. Rosalyn reached out to yoUtilBill for a free evaluation of the issues involved, including a sound consideration of the household's energy economics.

yoUtilBill's Findings
On short notice, yoUtilBill visited the Spencer residence and examined its energy systems over the course of one hour (kitchen, heating/cooling, entertainment and other equipment, insulation, etc.). Of the thirty potential changes the Spencers could undertake, the yoUtilBill Diagnostic/Audit found only six were economically justifiable.

Perhaps most surprisingly, the economics also showed that the original solar panel idea would have substantively increased the Spencer’s overall energy spending – after the cost of the long-term financing was properly accounted for.

The Sensible Path Forward
It turned out that the most responsible and prudent path for the Spencers was to first dramatically reduce the wasteful energy consumption of some of the house’s aging energy systems (but only making changes that did not alter the Spencer’s lifestyle). Only then should they fit solar panels – and far fewer of them. By first upgrading some insulation and equipment, the heat energy waste of the winter (propane consumption) and the air conditioning waste of the summer (electricity) would be reduced by 62%!

With these upgrades, the Spencer's overall energy spending, including the costs of both fuels and upgrade financing, would be cut from $6,200 to $4,100 per year. And, since the upgrades would be financed by the local government's AB811 program, the Spencers would be free to move house, comforted by the knowledge that remaining upgrade payments would stay with the house – that is, its new occupants would take on those payments.

The Result
Aware of yoUtilBill's expertise, industry connections and cost advantages, and having little spare time available, the Spencers asked yoUtilBill to undertake management of the process. The upgrades were implemented with virtually no disruption to the family, the work was bid out to pre-approved contractors with pre-negotiated, lower-than-market rates.

Overall, the approach delivered greater reductions in both carbon footprint and overall energy spending to the Spencers. They were very happy they had reached out and found a more thoughtful approach; the $2,100 in annual savings, when compounded over the years, will make a welcome addition to their kid's college fund and their own retirement account. Moreover, the expected value of the house actually increased, since its overall energy spending profile is substantially lower – making it a much more attractive investment to potential buyers.