Microsoft Hohm Still Silly Even with Actual Product

Since it was announced last year, I’ve always thought the Microsoft Hohm energy management “platform” was silly. It still is, even though there’s actually a product associated with it.

In my first story about Hohm, I inferred from the press release that the service was “little more than a Web site with ideas on how to save energy.”

You enter a ton of information like the square footage of your home, the types of appliances you own, and your blood type (OK, not that), and Microsoft basically tells you how much money you could save by installing more energy efficient windows.

After an interview with Troy Batterberry, product unit manager for Microsoft Hohm, I still found little value with the service, not the least because there were no real products to personalize your energy profile.

Now there is: the PowerCost Monitor and WiFi Gateway from Blue Line Innovations ($249).

And still, Microsoft Hohm is a silly offering.

According to the Microsoft press release:

The Blue Line PowerCost Monitor attaches to a household power utility meter; no wiring is required, and no need to call in an electrician. The WiFi Gateway device wirelessly transmits energy use data to the consumer’s Microsoft Hohm account and can provide personalized energy recommendations.

And exactly what kind of valuable information might you glean from this solution?

In Microsoft’s example, you might see that “power consumption spiked when the user turned on the air conditioner at various times of the day.”

You don’t say!

“With this type of insight into energy usage, consumers are empowered to make immediate choices about how to manage their household power consumption,” Microsoft explains.

Below the chart, a tip might suggest, “Sit in a cold tub. Right now, tubs are on sale at Home Depot. Click here to save!”

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Microsoft Hohm Helps Consumers Save Money and Energy (press release)