Interactive Energy Analysis

CSW Launches Interactive Energy Analysis Service for Residentials

Central and South West has launched an interactive, online energy analysis service available to all residential customers of its four operating utilities, Southwestern Electric Power, Central Power & Light, West Texas Utilities and Public Service Oklahoma.

CSW said "HomeVIEW," designed by Volt Viewtech, is one of the first internet home energy analysis programs in the United States. HomeVIEW is described as being flexible to customer needs and easy to use while providing an analysis that is more comprehensive and interactive than similar programs. Volt Viewtech, headquartered in Anaheim, Calif., provides contract services to utilities in rebates and loan processing, meter services, and weatherization and energy audits.

"CSW serves more than 4 million people and our research indicates that more than one third of them have the ability to access the internet. This program provides another way of serving and interacting with our customers. It's another step in moving toward time of day pricing, energy management for the home, and remote metering," said John Saenz, vice president of CSW Marketing in Tulsa, Okla.

Saenz explained that customers go to either CSW's homepage (http://www.csw.com) or Internet address (http://home1.viewtechfinancialservices.com/csw/intro.htm) and enter their customer account number. HomeVIEW draws in the customer's most recent 12 months of billing history, the current rate applicable to the customer and any other rates that might apply. It also identifies which of the 15 weather zones that make up CSW's service territory is applicable to the customer, and adds appropriate weather data.

Customers then answer a series of questions about their home and appliances, heating and cooling, and lifestyle patters. It also provides an option for customers to add data on use of other energy sources, such as natural gas.

When the process is complete, customers receive a two page report which enables them to make better choices about the energy they use in their homes.

The process requires 20 to 30 minutes of on line time, and is free to CSW residential customers except for any telephone lines charges or on line fees.

Reprinted from Energy Services & Telecom Report © Copyright 1996 by The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.