Interactive Internet Platform for Assessing and Executing Residential Energy Solutions

• US 20110016017A1
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Revolution Environmental LLC
• Original Assignee: Revolution Environmental LLC
• Inventors: Blumberg, Jason R., Carlin, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,285,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations

Abstract

A dynamic, fully-integrated computer-server-based platform (platform) provides users with tools for making informed decisions about available energy upgrades and for implementing desired home energy upgrades. In various embodiments, the platform provides various combinations of: (i) a variety of educational and assessment tools, including a Virtual Home Energy Audit (VHEA), which provides users with a customized home energy-savings plan detailing the financial and/or environmental impact of each upgrade alternative on a relative and absolute basis, (ii) product selection and purchase, (iii) access to arrangement and scheduling of in-home services through a network of professionals, (iv) financing solutions, and (v) a data registry that verifies completed upgrades and associated savings. The platform takes a holistic view of energy solutions, and provides tools across a broad spectrum of energy-related products and/or services.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a networked server receiving via a communication interface a home-energy audit request from a communication device associated with a user, the server comprising the communication interface, a processor, and instructions executable by the processor;

responsive to receiving the audit request, the networked server sending via the communication interface to the communication device a set of one or more audit questions pertaining at least to a home of the user;

the networked server receiving via the communication interface from the communication device a set of one or more audit answers provided by the user to the set of audit questions;

responsive to receiving the set of answers, the networked server (i) generating an energy-savings plan for the user based at least in part on at least one of the received answers, the energy-savings plan listing at least one energy-savings upgrade available for implementation with respect to the user'"'"'s home and (ii) sending the generated energy-savings plan via the communication interface to the user communication device;

after sending the generated energy-savings plan, the networked server receiving via the communication interface from the user communication device a user selection of at least one upgrade listed in the plan; and

responsive to receiving the user selection, the networked server placing at least one order on behalf of the user for the at least one selected upgrade.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interacts with the networked server via a web-browsing application running on the communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises at least one of a computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, an e-reader, a tablet device, a PDA, and a cell phone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of audit questions pertains to at least one of type of the home, whether the user is a renter, number of occupants of the home, age of the home, option to use natural gas in the home, type of foundation of the home, square footage of the home, type of basement of the home, type of heating and cooling systems, type water heating systems, type and number of appliances, type of lighting, type of electronics, type and number of water-using devices and elements of the home'"'"'s envelope including types and numbers of windows, doors and skylights.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of audit questions further pertains to a geographic location of the user'"'"'s home.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the energy-savings plan for the user based at least in part on at least one of the received answers comprises generating the energy-savings plan for the user based at least in part on at least one of the received answers and at least in part on additional data reflecting one or more of weather-pattern data, temperature-pattern data, and energy-price data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one audit question pertains to a geographic location of the user'"'"'s home, wherein the set of audit answers comprises the geographic location of the user'"'"'s home, and wherein at least part of the additional data is specific to the geographic location of the user'"'"'s home.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one energy-savings upgrade listed in the generated plan comprises a product.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the product is selected from a group consisting of a lighting and fixtures option, an appliance option, a heating and cooling option, an electronics and office equipment option, a plumbing and water option, a solar-energy product, and a wind-energy product.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one energy-savings upgrade listed in the generated plan comprises a service.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

sending the user a list of scheduling options for the service;

receiving from the user a selected scheduling option for the service; and

scheduling the service for the user in accordance with the selected option.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one energy-savings upgrade listed in the generated plan comprises an option to receive a quote for a cost of a service.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

sending the user a list of scheduling options for receiving the quote;

receiving from the user a selected scheduling option for receiving the quote; and

scheduling the user to receive the quote in accordance with the selected option.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving at least one quote for the service from at least one service provider;

sending the received at least one quote to the user;

receiving from the user a selected quote; and

scheduling the user to receive the service from the associated service provider.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the generated plan comprises at least one of (i) an estimated financial impact of at least one upgrade listed in the plan and (ii) an estimated environmental impact of at least one upgrade listed in the plan.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the generated plan comprises an estimated financial impact of at least one upgrade listed in the plan, and wherein at least one such estimated financial impact reflects at least one of total cost of the upgrade, upfront cost of the upgrade, taxes, energy costs, internal rate of return, return on investment, and payback period.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the generated plan comprises an estimated environmental impact of at least one upgrade listed in the plan, and wherein at least one such estimated environmental impact pertains to at least one of CO₂ and CO₂e.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one energy-savings upgrade listed in the generated plan relates to at least one of (i) an improvement in energy efficiency and (ii) a renewable source of energy.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the networked server providing the user with at least one financing option related to at least one selected upgrade.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a digital registry of completed energy-saving upgrades on at least one of (i) a user-by-user basis and (ii) a home-by-home basis.