Market Study Finds WeatherBug Home Delivers 3X Higher Consumer Energy Efficiency With Improved Customer Comfort In Utility Pilot

GERMANTOWN, MD – January 29, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Consumers who integrated WeatherBug Home’s HVAC control and optimization capabilities with their connected thermostat saved 16.5% electricity when cooling their home as compared to 5.1% HVAC savings from a connected thermostat –-- saving 11.4% more in HVAC energy use -- according to results from a pilot conducted by National Grid. The residential customer pilot commissioned by National Grid, a leading electricity and natural gas company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources, compared HVAC savings 
between homes with non-connected thermostats (the control group) versus those with a connected thermostat and home energy monitoring and those with a connected thermostat, home energy monitoring reports and WeatherBug Home thermostat optimization.  Specifically, the pilot found that:

• Homes in the pilot that integrated with WeatherBug Home saved 3X more electricity (16.5% energy savings during cooling season) compared to homes with only a smart thermostat and home energy monitoring report (5.1% savings).
• On a per-square-foot basis, the WeatherBug Home optimized group saved 0.1808 kWh/sqft, compared to 0.0358 kWh/sqft for the control group.
• Homes integrated with WeatherBug Home’s optimization and controls capabilities more effectively regulated temperatures than homes without these capabilities.  Indoor air temperatures for the group with WeatherBug Home optimization controls more closely matched set points compared to the group without that optimization control.

“We’re thrilled that our customers are taking advantage of the WeatherBug platform” said Ed White, VP of New Energy Solutions, National Grid, “Helping customers connect the dots between weather patterns and their energy usage is a powerful tool that helps customers inform how and when they use energy. As the concept of smart connected homes continues to grow, offering this kind of user friendly, intuitive platform to customers will drive behavior changes and increase participation in efficiency programs like this one.”

50% of a home’s energy usage is driven by the weather. By integrating its weather ‘big data’ (Earth Networks’ proprietary cloud processes 25 terabytes of real-time data daily from its neighborhood-located sensor network) with connected thermostats and utility meter data, WeatherBug Home develops a unique thermodynamic model for each home to more precisely forecast the amount of energy needed to heat or cool each home on each day, and then translates that learning into intelligent optimization of home energy so consumers can save money and remain comfortable at the same time.  In addition to boosting energy efficiency, the solution also provides utilities with intelligent demand response to reduce peak loads while minimizing customer discomfort.  Consumers are also provided customized insights on their energy use, predictive costs and personalized tips on how to save money. 

“It is significant that the National Grid customer pilot found our intelligent learning on how a home responds to weather conditions tripled energy cost savings to more than 16%, while actually keeping customers more comfortable,” said Bob Marshall, chief executive officer, Earth Networks. “We are excited by the results of this independent study and its affirmation that WeatherBug Home is leading the industry by delivering greater consumer energy efficiency and intelligent demand response to utilities beyond what has previously been possible.”

About Earth Networks: Powering WeatherBug & WeatherBug Home

For 20 years, we have been Taking the Pulse of the Planet® using the world’s largest weather, lightning and greenhouse gas monitoring networks. Our sensors across the planet keep consumers, businesses, and governments informed, updated and alerted. Our popular WeatherBug® brand provides neighborhood-level weather, superior forecasts and advanced severe weather alerts to millions. Our WeatherBug Home offering taps big weather and connected home data for improved energy efficiency and comfort. Enterprises such as schools, airports, professional sports teams, utilities and government agencies rely on our early warning solutions to safeguard lives, prepare for weather events, and optimize operations. Know Before®.

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects over 20 million people to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization).