Using Hohm for the Home

Simply entering an address returns an energy efficiency score for almost any U.S. residence.

Doesn't this make you feel really comfortable about Microsoft's access to your personal information? How comfortable are you with the "Smart Grid"? How long before the Energy Police come knocking on your door because you used 5% more energy than your neighbor?

Am I being paranoid? Nah- fortunately, I no longer live in the US...

I just put in my address and my old address. This is just down-right to much information for MS to have! Next thing you know my power will be cut because I use an Apple computer and not a Windows computer.

Tis really a brute force inference. In my case, it knows not about my new doors, superinsulated attic, that we do not run our air conditioning, nor that we installed new high efficiency boiler a few years back.

It also does not seem to take note of our swimming pool, based on the paltry figure it gives for "other" despite the fact that you can see the swimming pool quite clearly in their photo of my property.

I give it a B-.

Milo

Ah, but the Energy Police will put more faith in the computer printout than in the reality at your property...Everyone knows, computers don't lie and everyone cheats on their energy consumption...

That is true. But THAT is a social political problem, not one of technology. Wait till they find out I am hoarding 100 watt incandescent light bulbs... Woo Hoo!

Milo

This is green 'lite' which will make most people quite happy - they can participate, do nothing, accomplish nothing but brag that they are a part of everything. I think about 90% of the green movement is no better - just a lot of churning and chatter.

Well stated.

Milo