Account Manager FAQs – Neighbor Comparison – Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative

How do you determine the size of my home and how do I update it?

The square footage of your home that is used is based on data that is collected from public government sources about your home. If the square footage on your report is not correct, you can change it using the "Update my Home Profile" link under the “Energy Use Profile” tab.

How can my efficient neighbors manage to use so much less energy than I do?

Efficient households likely take a variety of steps to reduce their electricity use, including using the thermostat to manage heating and cooling costs, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and always running full loads in the dishwasher, washer, and dryer. The "Ways to Save" tips provide actionable steps that you can take to help you make your home more efficient.

I have certain life or housing circumstances, such as energy-intensive medical equipment, that prevent me from reducing my energy use. So how can these reports help me?

It’s understandable that some people may have life or housing circumstances that make it difficult to reduce their home’s energy use. We aim to provide a wide range of ideas that can address the various needs of our members and their homes. We encourage you to find out which tips are best for you and search for more ideas. In some cases, you may not be able to realize substantial savings, but we’ve found that most people can realize at least some savings and we hope we can help you do so.

What if there are good reasons that my household uses more energy than my neighbors?

Our goal is to provide you with a comparison that is valid and meaningful. Comparisons include a group of similar, nearby, occupied homes; research shows that for most residents this categorization provides a good indication of typical usage. However, some factors may not be accounted for, such as the number of occupants in the home and special energy loads like hot tubs and swimming pools. You can provide additional information about your home in the "Update my Home Profile" link under the “Energy Use Profile” tab to help improve the accuracy of your neighbor comparison.

I have multiple accounts, but not all of them show a neighbor comparison.

If you have multiple accounts, the first one listed is considered a primary account and will be the one that shows the neighbor comparison.

How did you choose the homes used in my neighbor comparisons?

To provide valid comparisons, we’ve chosen specific homes that are nearby and have characteristics that typically lead to similar energy needs, such as home size and heating source. And importantly, we only include homes that appear to be occupied at the time of the comparison.

Who are my neighbors?

Your energy use is being compared to the usage patterns of a group of about 100 neighbors whose homes are close to yours and similar in size.