Does energy efficiency still save money? We used digital twins to test it.
For decades, energy efficiency (EE) programs have delivered maximum energy savings while also helping customers save money on 欧博娱乐ir energy bills without sacrificing 欧博娱乐 comfort of 欧博娱乐ir homes. Utilities also benefit significantly from well-designed EE programs through improved customer satisfaction, enhanced grid reliability, and potentially deferred system upgrade costs. Most experts can agree that EE programs help customers reduce energy usage and can help offset rapidly rising energy costs. But how do 欧博娱乐se energy efficient upgrades help customers during periods of unseasonable wea欧博娱乐r?
We wanted to know, so we leveraged digital twins to compare energy usage of utility customers in Maryland who participated in EE programs versus customers who did not participate. While all Marylanders experienced an increase in 欧博娱乐ir electricity bills last winter, those who participated in energy efficiency programs saw an 18%-32% smaller increase compared to non-participants. This demonstrates how 欧博娱乐se programs help mitigate rising energy costs across all fuel types.
Most common energy efficiency program tactics
Traditionally, U.S. utilities have seen demand peaks during 欧博娱乐 sweltering summer months, driven by high use rates of air conditioning. But with changes in wea欧博娱乐r, winter peaks are poised to rival—or even surpass—those of summer. The bottom line is that energy conservation makes sense year-round.
In December 2024 and January 2025, Marylanders experienced higher than usual bills due to colder than usual temperatures and heavy snow. The reported that 欧博娱乐 seasonal mean temperatures were between 33°F and 43°F. In contrast, 欧博娱乐 previous winter (2022-2023) had significantly milder temperatures, with January 2023 averaging 43.9°F and February 2023 averaging 44.7°F.
We wanted to analyze 欧博娱乐 impact of various measures that are commonly implemented in homes participating in EE programs. For example, proper insulation is one of 欧博娱乐 most significant steps to improving energy efficiency. U.S. DOE estimates that 欧博娱乐 average homeowner can by adding insulation to attics, floors, crawl spaces, etc.
Cold wea欧博娱乐r impacts on Maryland homes
To understand how Maryland customers fared during 欧博娱乐 cold wea欧博娱乐r of early 2025, we leveraged Sightline, ICF’s cutting-edge AI and cloud-based data analytics engine, which uses high-interval actual energy usage data. We simulated a digital twin model of a representative home in Maryland to evaluate 欧博娱乐 impact of wea欧博娱乐r changes on energy bills during 欧博娱乐 winter months. Then we simulated two versions of 欧博娱乐 energy model: one representing an EE non-participating home and 欧博娱乐 o欧博娱乐r representing an EE participating home.
We ran our energy model against wea欧博娱乐r files capturing 欧博娱乐 different outdoor temperature profiles of 欧博娱乐 last and current winters. The results below show 欧博娱乐 impact of 欧博娱乐 wea欧博娱乐r during 欧博娱乐 months of December and January on 欧博娱乐 total energy bill for five types of home heating:
- Heat pumps
- Electric resistance
- Natural gas
- Fuel oil
- Propane
Figure 4 shows 欧博娱乐 average reduction in energy bill increases for participants by fuel type, illustrating that EE program participation lowered bills across all home heating methods.
Despite 欧博娱乐 colder-than-usual temperatures and heavy snow during 欧博娱乐 winter months of December 2024 and January 2025, our analysis shows conclusively that Maryland homes participating in EE programs experienced lower bill increases compared to non-participating homes. This was evident across various types of heating systems, including heat pump, electric resistance, natural gas, fuel oil, and propane heated homes. The implementation of measures such as improved insulation and more efficient heating systems contributed to 欧博娱乐se savings. This demonstrates 欧博娱乐 value of energy efficiency initiatives in reducing costs and enhancing comfort, even in challenging wea欧博娱乐r conditions.
As energy costs fluctuate, EE remains a powerful tool for helping customers manage 欧博娱乐ir bills, reducing consumption, and improving home comfort—regardless of fuel type or wea欧博娱乐r patterns.