A striking trend emerged from a new consumer survey conducted by Sense, a pioneer in real-time intelligence: users report maintaining or even increasing their use of Sense’s real-time home intelligence, despite changes in their routines after the pandemic. The survey demonstrates growing momentum for remote energy management by consumers who are eager to take control of their home energy usage and reduce energy costs.
As consumer habits change post-pandemic and many report spending more time away from home for business or travel, Sense has emerged as a key tool that gives remote access to a real-time view of the energy being used in homes at the device level. This information, accessible through a simple mobile app, empowers users to make informed decisions about their individual energy usage. Sense’s new survey provides a window into the range of ways these consumers are leveraging its technology to manage their home energy usage.
Reducing energy use & cost: The potential to lower energy bills is one major benefit of using Sense, and survey respondents describe enhanced awareness of their energy consumption leading to significant cost savings after using the technology. In one case, a user was able to cut their electricity bill by 15 percent after installing Sense and making immediate changes to their energy consumption habits. Users shared their experiences adjusting heating systems for optimal performance and energy efficiency, thereby minimizing the spike in utility bills typically seen during winter months. Access to real-time data encourages users to be proactive in managing how much energy they are using, helping them to change habits and save money.
Remote Energy Management: In addition to seeing cost savings, survey respondents also report increased peace of mind after using the technology to monitor their home energy systems. With increased travel and expanded return-to-office policies after the pandemic, Sense users are benefitting from remote access to information about what is going on within their homes. Users described noticing that appliances or heating systems had been mistakenly left on while they were at the office or traveling. Thanks to Sense’s real-time data, these users can make informed decisions no matter where they are.
Enhanced Control During Extreme Weather: Sense’s technology allows homeowners to react during dynamic situations, such as a sudden storm, and detect trends over time, such as increased use of AC systems during the summer. During short-term events like cold snaps or heat waves, nearly 70 percent of Sense’s users report actively managing their energy usage to balance comfort, safety, and cost-efficiency. Users were surprised to see how much energy standby appliances collectively consumed and installed smart plugs to cut power to these devices when not in use. In addition, users can spot unusual energy patterns over time from potential hazards like a broken HVAC unit. In one instance, a user described catching a faulty space heater early, intervening in a dangerous situation while reducing their energy bill.
The Sense consumer survey highlights the diversity of uses for real-time data, from making energy-efficient appliance choices to cutting down on energy-hungry appliances when energy costs are high. The benefits reported by users also underscore the value of access to reliable, timely home energy data from Sense.
Soon, Sense’s home intelligence will be available to more than 1 million consumers through their utility meter. With software embedded in next-generation smart meters at a marginal incremental cost, Sense is optimizing the grid and revolutionizing the way utilities engage with customers. As more users take an active role in managing their home energy systems, Sense is proving to be a valuable partner for consumers and utilities in the journey toward an energy-efficient future.
