Opower Home Energy Reports
Opower (now Oracle Utilities) / 12 US utilities · United States (multi-site) · 2012
Summary
Telling households how their energy use compared to similar neighbors—and providing a simple smiley face showing whether they were above or below average—produced a consistent, durable 2% reduction in consumption across 12 utilities and 600,000 households. The effect is modest in absolute terms but highly cost-effective and replicates reliably across contexts. The 'neighbor comparison' mechanism has since been applied to water, waste, and other resource consumption domains.
Research question
"Can social comparison home energy reports reduce household electricity consumption?"
Methodology
Intervention
Bi-monthly letters comparing household usage to similar neighbors, with efficiency tips and social messaging
Assignment
Randomized controlled trial (household)
Sample size
600,000 households
Primary outcome
Household electricity consumption
Effect estimate
−2.0% electricity consumption; effect equivalent to 11–20% temporary price increase
Decision
Program expanded to 100+ utilities serving tens of millions of households globally
Result
Positive
−2.0% electricity consumption; effect equivalent to 11–20% temporary price increase
Evidence strength
Strong
Randomized trial, replicated across multiple sites or studies.
Replication status
Replicated
Institution
Opower (now Oracle Utilities) / 12 US utilities
Location
United States (multi-site)
Year
2012
Policy area
Energy & Environment
Mechanism
Social norms