Glendale launches smart meter Facebook app

A Facebook application that allows smart meter customers to gauge how much energy they’re using compared to others went live Tuesday, Glendale officials announced.

Glendale Water & Power customers can connect their utility accounts to the “Opower” app via Facebook to monitor how they stack up to others in terms of energy consumption.

Officials have described the app as sort of a “Farmville” type social networking experience.

The app plays into what city officials have said is a key element of the smart meters — the ability of customers to track their consumption in near real-time to better control costs.

Glendale Water & Power is one of the first utility companies to join the pilot program featuring Opower, which will allow roughly 4 million energy users from California to Chicago to create competitions and share insights.

Besides “fostering friendly competition” among neighbors, consumers also can use the Opower platform to share their experiences and energy saving tips, according to Glendale Water & Power.

To get started, customers may visit www.social.opower.com or search for the Opower app on Facebook and connect their utility account.