Microsoft Announces Availability of Hohm Scores
REDMOND, Wash. — May 26, 2010 — Starting today, more than 60 million homeowners will be able to answer one simple question: “Am I an energy hog or an energy miser?” Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Hohm Score, an estimate of a home’s energy efficiency, offered as part of the company’s free online home energy management tool, Microsoft Hohm. By simply typing in an address at http://www.microsoft-hohm.com, anyone can see the Hohm Score for almost any home in the United States.
“The Hohm Score provides an easy way for anyone to measure their home energy efficiency, and compare it with others. It’s important to note that the average Hohm Score here in the U.S. is a failing grade,” said Troy Batterberry, product unit manager of Microsoft Hohm. “Fortunately, by making some simple changes to your household, consumers can easily achieve a passing mark, and save an estimated tens of billions of dollars each and every year.”
Hohm Scores are calculated by comparing a home’s actual and potential energy efficiency, and is grounded with advanced analytics licensed from Lawrence Berkeley National Labs and statistical data from the Department of Energy. In addition to individual scores, Hohm Scores are available by ZIP code, city and state so anyone can compare a home’s score with others around the country.
The national average Hohm Score comes in at 61, with Hawaii topping the list as having the highest average Hohm Score and with Texas coming in last. Here are the states with the highest and lowest Hohm Score averages:
Highest average Hohm Score
Hawaii – 81
Delaware – 70
Maryland – 70
District of Columbia – 68
New Jersey – 67
Lowest average Hohm Score
47. Arkansas – 53
48. Oklahoma – 52
49. Nevada – 51
50. Tennessee – 51
51. Texas - 51
“The Hohm Score is the first step in helping us all make smarter decisions about our home energy use,” Batterberry said. “If each of the 60 million households improved their Hohm Score by five points, collectively that would equal an estimated $8 billion in savings a year.”
Available today for free to all U.S. residential energy consumers, Hohm is working to help everyone save energy and money by offering insight into home energy usage and by providing personalized recommendations. Hohm has established partnerships with utilities and the Ford Motor Co., and is actively working with these partners to realize a long-term vision of connecting just about anything that uses energy to help automate and optimize energy use for consumers.
More information and supporting digital content is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2010/may10/05-26HohmScores.mspx.
Join the Microsoft Hohm community on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/microsofthohm.
Follow Microsoft Hohm on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/microsofthohm.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
