Neighbor vs. neighbor: APS comparing neighbors power usage - KMSP-TV

Neighbor vs. neighbor: APS comparing neighbors power usage

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A number of APS customers recently got a letter in the mail comparing their power usage to that of their neighbors.

On the surface, it sounds like a good idea but some wondered whether the data was accurate. They also wondered whether APS should be divulging that type of information to their customers.

A lot of APS customers are surprised when they see how their energy usage compares to their neighbors.

The utility company told us today they don't disclose any personal information, and the main point is to help customers try and save money on their power bill.

If you're an APS customer, you may have gotten a letter that compares your power usage to your neighbors.

"I posted on Facebook, this is funny, but not so funny because it was a lot... I was kind of embarrassed," said Johnnie Kelley.

Johnnie Kelley got the letter a few weeks ago and was surprised by how her family stacked up. According to APS, they used 56% more electricity over the year compared to their neighbors. A graph showed how they stood against their neighbors.

"It says your efficient neighbors, your average neighbors, and you. I was like oh my gosh!" said Kelley.

APS says the point isn't to make people feel guilty about how much power they are using but instead to look at ways they can conserve it.

"It really does help them get an inside look at how their home is consuming energy and then provide steps that they can use to help reduce their energy usage," said Jenna Shaver with APS.

The program has been in place for two years and has mailed letters to 100,000 customers in Metro Phoenix and Yuma.

"It's a customer actual energy usage, and then they compare it to 100 homes in their neighborhoods, in about a 1 mile radius of their home for comparable sized homes," said Shaver.

But Johnnie and her family say they are skeptical of their energy usage report since they are doing exactly what they did to conserve this time last year.

"I was on the computer comparing it to last year, and it made it look like we had doubled our stuff, and we're not doing anything different," said Kelley.

Many people are not fans of being compared to their neighbors, others said it wasn't a big deal when we posted this on the FOX 10 Facebook Page.
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