WeatherWise USA Awarded Patent for EnerCheck Program Promotes Energy Conservation Through Accurate Individual Consumer Measurement and Reporting

WeatherWise USA, Inc. announces the issuance of a U.S. patent for EnerCheckSM, a conservation measurement service for utilities and energy consumers. Until now, the utility bill was the primary means for communicating the results of energy use to the consumer, however changes in weather and energy prices mask the true impact of conservation and efficiency efforts. With EnerCheck, the effects of changing weather and volatile energy prices are removed to accurately signal changes in a consumers energy use efficiency. Utility companies using EnerCheck can send individual residential and commercial consumers a personalized report that communicates whether their energy efficiency has improved, declined, or stayed the same during a specified period of time.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) September 11, 2004 -- WeatherWise USA, Inc. announces the issuance of a U.S. patent for EnerCheckSM, a conservation measurement service for utilities and energy consumers. Until now, the utility bill was the primary means for communicating the results of energy use to the consumer, however changes in weather and energy prices mask the true impact of conservation and efficiency efforts. With EnerCheck, the effects of changing weather and volatile energy prices are removed to accurately signal changes in a consumers energy use efficiency. Utility companies using EnerCheck can send individual residential and commercial consumers a personalized report that communicates whether their energy efficiency has improved, declined, or stayed the same during a specified period of time.

EnerCheck can provide customers with a true indicator of their energy use that is easy to understand and can be directly related to their conservation efforts," explains Teresa Kishlock, Program Implementation Manager at WeatherWise. By eliminating the factors beyond the consumers control, EnerCheck can show the real savings in energy use that resulted from the purchase of a more efficient furnace, added insulation, or upgraded windows. Theres no more guessing about if or when the payback on their energy investment occurs."

CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco, located in Minneapolis, is using EnerCheck as part of their "No Surprise Bill®" fixed payment option. Concerned that customers on a fixed bill may be less aware of energy use and conservation, the company decided to use WeatherWise's EnerCheck to send an individualized annual energy efficiency report to each No Surprise Bill customer. Jolene Voigt, Residential Product Manager for CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco, says the results have been favorable. "We hoped the reports would serve as a reminder to customers to be energy efficient and to give them a useful measurement of usage changes in their household or business. We accomplished that goal and have been able to give customers a preview of the usage that will be reflected in their new quote amount at renewal time. Weve also been able to work with customers who are surprised by their change in efficiency to identify customer-specific energy efficiency programs."

U.S. Patent 6,785,620, Energy Efficiency Measuring System And Reporting Methods, is the first WeatherWise USA patent to be granted. Several patent applications have been filed for products and processes developed by WeatherWise employees," states Vijay Parmar, Executive Director of Technology at WeatherWise USA. We anticipate other patents will follow as we develop further innovations using our financial engineering expertise."

For additional information on EnerCheckSM, contact Laura Lewis, Director of Sales (phone: 888 373-9473; email: sales@weatherwiseusa.com) or visit WeatherWise USAs webpage: (www.weatherwiseusa.com).

About WeatherWise USA, Inc.:
WeatherWise, USA, located in Pittsburgh, PA, is the premier provider of customized products for energy suppliers to offer their customers¾including fixed bills, capped bills, energy efficiency reporting, and billing support services. WeatherWises unique use of computerized models based on engineering rather than econometric principles enables the development of products and services that reduce weather-related financial risk for energy providers and their residential and commercial consumers.

Press Contact:
Laura Lewis
Phone:    888-373-9473 ext 4026
   412-320-4026
Fax:    412-320-4050
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