Welcome to the E Source blog! Our staff will share insights and observations about life at E Source, our events, our research, and other fun stuff.


Ho Ho Whoa! LED Holiday Lights Save How Much Energy?

December 12, 2017 | Joy Herbers
LED holiday lights are more expensive than incandescents at the time of purchase, but they're big money savers in the long run because they consume less energy. Whether your customers have modest light installations or major laser shows, they'll see savings on their energy bills if they use LEDs.

E Source Market Research Team Gets Wowed at the DOE Solar Decathlon

December 4, 2017 | Laura Ruff
In October, the market research team visited the DOE's 2017 Solar Decathlon in Denver. We were overwhelmed by the innovations in the 11 solar-powered houses, but Northwestern University's home intrigued us the most. The students used research-based personas to inform the house's design.

Water Heating and "U"

October 26, 2017 | Essie Snell
I was surprised to learn that water heater efficiency metrics quietly changed in June—and utilities don’t seem to be changing their program specifications or assumptions!

Another Spectacular E Source Forum in the Books!

September 15, 2017 | Sannie Sieper
The 30th E Source Forum was five-alarm fantastic! Whether you were there for the fire drills or missed the excitement, you can still get some of the knowledge. View the presentations on the Forum home page. In this post, check out the highlights video. And plan to join us next year, September 25–28!

My Search for the Killer App for Residential Batteries

September 5, 2017 | Jay Stein
Surveys show that customers like batteries and many are considering buying them. Before utilities encourage customers to make those purchases, they first have to figure out what those batteries will do that benefits both customers and utilities.

The Bicycle: A Two-Wheeled Transportation and Energy Solution

August 29, 2017 | Travis Provin
Improvements in infrastructure, bike-sharing systems, and e-bikes are making bicycles a more viable transportation option in today's commuter world.

The Eclipse Gives Center Stage to Solar Education

August 21, 2017 | Rachel Cooper
Customers aren’t receiving the solar information they want from their utilities. Instead, according to our research, they're getting their information from TV, the Internet, and friends. The solar eclipse is a great opportunity to connect with your customers on solar. How are you doing it?

Creativity Killers: Identifying, Removing, and Replacing Bad Business Behavior

July 27, 2017 | Bryan Jungers
As an analyst in the Research department at E Source, I spend a lot of time poring over the creative works of others, yet the pile of tasks that perpetually sits in front of me each day hinders my own creativity.

Rely on Data, Not Hunches, When Evaluating Customer Perceptions of the Smart Home

June 26, 2017 | Charles Framularo
E Source recognizes the benefits the smart home can bring to both utilities and their customers, but in contrast to our own research and analysis, we've noticed a spike in reports that make recommendations based on hunches. Read our blog for more on the importance of relying on data, not hunches.

Have Questions About the Smart Home? E Source Has the Answers

June 6, 2017 | Essie Snell
Smart home technology can yield benefits for utilities of all sizes, and E Source has information to help you understand your options and meet your goals. Learn more about our new Smart Home Resource Center!