Do-it-yourself conservation
- Share via
Jackson Bell
Burbank Water and Power officials are using higher technology to help
residents lower their energy bills.
The utility’s website, www.burbankwater andpower.com, offers
programs designed to help users learn more about energy conservation
and how they can apply it to their homes.
“The website helps people save money and protect the environment,”
said BWP Marketing Director Jeanette Meyer, who set up the software.
“And there is no cost whatsoever, just some time spent on the
computer doing it.”
The programs, designed by Massachusetts-based Nexus Energy
Software Inc., were launched on the utility’s website Dec. 11. They
feature a calculator that lets residents equate money saved from
applying more efficient usage of energy, a library that provides
information on energy-related topics, and a 14-question survey that
gives tips on how they can use less energy in their homes.
They also feature Home Analyzer, a program that allows users to
build a graphic of their home that gives detailed suggestions on how
they can conserve energy.
“The more users input, the more refined it gets,” Meyer said. “It
tells the users that they are either doing a great job [conserving
energy] or that there are more things they can do to reduce their
energy usage.”
She added that users can spend between 20 minutes or two hours,
depending on how in depth they want the program to evaluate their
homes.
Nearly 100 people used the programs in December, and Meyer expects
an increase in usage since promotional pamphlets will be sent out
with residents’ January utility bills.
Starting today through Feb. 29, the utility will also randomly
give away to users five baskets full of “energy goodies” such as
fluorescent lights, said Steve Soghomonian, a BWP electric
engineering associate who runs the utility’s website.
“We’re hoping this entices people to get educated about utilities
and learn ways to save energy and become more aware of what they are
doing around their house,” Soghomonian said.