Microsoft Hohm Helps Consumers Save Money and Energy

New online application enables consumers to better understand home energy
usage.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today
announced Microsoft Hohm, a new online application that enables consumers to
better understand their energy usage, get recommendations and start saving
money. Microsoft Hohm uses advanced analytics licensed from the Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to provide
consumers with personalized energy-saving recommendations. Microsoft Hohm is
an easy-to-use tool that helps consumers lower their energy bill and reduce
their impact on the environment. The beta application is available at no cost
to anyone in the United States with an Internet connection and can be accessed
directly by visiting http://www.microsoft-hohm.com.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
"We believe technology will play a pivotal role in tackling the global
energy issues we currently face," said Craig Mundie, chief research and
strategy officer at Microsoft. "Microsoft Hohm demonstrates how a combination
of advanced software and Internet-based services can help people track,
understand and manage their personal energy usage."
Consumers today are motivated to save energy to reduce their spending and
do their part in conserving the environment. According to a May 2009 utility
consumer survey from Gartner Inc. (conducted with households in the U.S. and
U.K.), 80 percent of consumers in the U.S. would participate in an energy
program if it were offered by providers. Data also showed that cost reduction
is the key driving force behind participating in an energy efficiency
program.*
Microsoft Hohm provides savings recommendations, which can range from
placing new caulking on windows to removing air leaks to installing a
programmable thermostat. These recommendations are tailored based on specific
circumstances in the consumer's home including house features, usage patterns
and appliances. The savings will vary based on the information shared and the
characteristics of consumers' households. If consumers don't provide their
data, Microsoft Hohm will base its recommendations on local and national
averages. Microsoft Hohm will leverage the energy usage data and feedback from
its users to refine and improve the accuracy and relevancy of recommendations.
In addition, consumers will be able to compare their energy usage with that of
others in their area and connect with the Microsoft Hohm community to find
referrals and exchange ideas.
Microsoft Hohm is built on the Windows Azure cloud operating system and
leverages Bing search as well as the Microsoft Advertising platform, and is
accessible from any computer using a modern browser.
Microsoft Hohm - Enabling Utilities to Provide Enhanced Customer
Experiences and Helping Utilities Meet Regulatory Requirements
Today's advanced utilities are leading the charge to be environmentally
responsible and sound energy providers. Microsoft Hohm helps utilities by
equipping them with a cost-effective and scalable tool that allows them to
supply their customers with comprehensive information regarding their energy
consumption. For instance, consumers who are customers of a Microsoft Hohm
utility partner company can opt to automatically upload their energy usage
data into the application in the near future.
Microsoft is proud to team with four industry-leading partners including
the following:
-- Puget Sound Energy (http://www.pse.com)
-- Sacramento Municipal Utility District
(http://www.smud.org/en/Pages/index.aspx)

-- Seattle City Light (http://seattle.gov/light)
-- Xcel Energy (http://xcelenergy.com/Company/Pages/Home.aspx)
Together with these partners, Microsoft Hohm can help consumers reduce
energy consumption and take advantage of the rebate and conservation programs
utilities offer. A lightweight standards-based software development kit (SDK)
is available for utilities interested in partnering with Microsoft Hohm.
Microsoft is also partnering with Itron Inc. and Landis+Gyr to make it
easier for utilities and consumers to automatically access granular energy
consumption data. Integration with meter data will make it even easier for
utilities to take full advantage of Microsoft Hohm offerings.
Using Microsoft Hohm can help utilities meet the increasing regulatory
requirements for energy conservation by promoting utility conservation
programs with customers. Utilities can also leverage Microsoft Hohm to
encourage customers to reduce or spread their energy consumption during peak
periods. Microsoft Hohm helps utilities demonstrate their environmental
responsibility. Links:
-- Home page: http://microsoft-hohm.com
-- Blog: http://blog.microsoft-hohm.com
-- Give Us Feedback: http://feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
-- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/microsofthohm (@microsofthohm)
-- Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Microsoft-Hohm/95894301860?ref=ts

Microsoft Hohm Launch Partners
Puget Sound Energy:
"We're excited to team with Microsoft in adding Microsoft Hohm to our tool
kit of energy efficiency services to help our customers save money, energy and
the environment," said Steve Reynolds, CEO and president of Puget Sound
Energy. "Puget Sound Energy shares the belief with Microsoft that better
information leads to better choices in energy use. Microsoft Hohm will help
our customers be more energy efficient by providing new insights and
understanding into how they use energy and how they can conserve."
Sacramento Municipal Utility District:
"Microsoft Hohm represents a simple, no-cost opportunity for consumers to
learn more about and track their energy usage," said Elisabeth Brinton,
director of community relations at SMUD. "As an online information tool,
Microsoft Hohm complements SMUD's award-winning, locally delivered energy
efficiency customer service programs. Whenever a conversation can be started
around energy efficiency, it's ultimately beneficial to everyone."
Seattle City Light:
"As a publicly owned utility, we produce low-cost, environmentally
responsible power," said Jorge Carrasco, superintendent of Seattle City Light.
"Microsoft Hohm will give our customers information that lets them make smart
decisions about their energy use while potentially saving money."
Xcel Energy:
"We pride ourselves on being responsible providers of energy," said Dick
Kelly, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. "A big part of that is our
belief that we need to constantly seek new ways to improve our environmental
performance. By adopting Microsoft Hohm, we can provide our customers vital
energy consumption data that not only positively affects individual behavior,
but that collectively benefits the environment as a whole."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
* Zarko Sumic, "Utility Consumer Survey: Energy Efficiency, Do They Care
and Why?", Gartner Industry Research 6 May 2009: ID # G00167617
Media resources:
-- Twitter update: @microsofthohm is a free web-based application
available to all US consumers that can help you save energy and money today
http://microsoft-hohm.com. -- Video channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MicrosoftHohm
-- Share: Delicious, Digg, StumbleUpon, Reddit, Facebook, Technorati or
Twitter
-- RSS feed: http://206.72.120.252/blogs.rss.ashx
-- Keywords and suggested tags: Microsoft, hohm, energy+saving,
energy+management, energy+Hohm, Energy+portal, Energy+tips, hohm+energy,
save+electricity, save+money
-- Product Demo - Embedded Code: < embed
src="http://images.video.msn.com/flash/soapbox1_1.swf" width="432"
height="364" id="sndm7s60" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"
pluginspage="http://macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"
flashvars="c=v&v=9b136800-abe2-4c7f-80d8-
ba596bdd063f&ifs=true&fr=msnvideo&mkt=en-US">Video: edited
ending Microsoft Hohm Screencast

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

pr.mspx./ /CONTACT: Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,
+1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, for Microsoft