This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

PowerTools App Helps SDG&E Customers Manage & Save Energy

The free PowerTools mobile app for SDG&E customers is the first app in the nation to receive the Privacy Smart Powered by TRUSTe® Seal.

Today SDG&E and Candi Controls announced that the PowerTools app is available for customers to download on their mobile phone or tablet to check recent energy use, set and manage energy saving goals, and track weather patterns related to energy use.

The PowerTools app, which utilizes the Green Button Connect My Data platform, is now available via the iTunes Store for iPhones and iPads, with Google Play coming soon for Android devices. PowerTools is the first app in the nation to receive certification through the TRUSTed Smart Grid Privacy Program, a self-regulatory program that certifies that companies use responsible privacy practices as they collect and share consumer smart grid data.

The PowerTools app was designed to help SDG&E customers securely identify ways to make smarter choices in their energy use habits and decisions, improving efficiency and lowering costs. Launched in October on a limited basis, the app is now available for all customers who have access to SDG&E’s My Account web portal.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Additional features include access to the SDG&E outage map and online bill payment, environmental impact, historical use analysis, and overview of actual use and savings relative to history.

Green Button Connect My Data is an automated, more advanced level of the initial Green Button data download tool, and the next step in the industry-led Green Button initiative. To date, more than 15,000 customers have downloaded their energy consumption data with the SDG&E Green Button download tool. Through Green Button Connect My Data, customers can now authorize third parties to securely access their energy usage data on an automated and daily basis.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

SDG&E customers can authorize the PowerTools app to receive data by logging into My Account from a desktop or tablet computer, clicking on the My Energy tab, clicking on Green Button Connect My Data under the Related Links tab on the right,  and following the instructions to select their device. The PowerTools app is available in addition to SDG&E’s apps already available for customers.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?