Opower
The company compares neigh-boring households' energy use and provides reports that 25-plus utilities send free to consumers.
EcoFactor
Using a communicating thermostat, EcoFactor manages HVAC. Customers of Texas utility Oncor, which will subsidize the program, can sign up now.
Google PowerMeter
If they have smart meters, customers of 10 utilities can use this free service to store energy-use data online.
Tendril
This platform can manage energy — the smarter the home, the more intelligent the management. The company is in talks with 30 utilities.
A version of this article appeared in the April 2010 issue of Fast Company magazine.
