Smart Energy – Lower My Energy Bill Configuration Request Workflow

Purpose

This workflow is used when a customer wants to lower energy costs, reduce utility bills, improve efficiency, identify waste, or maximize savings within their home.

The goal is to identify savings opportunities using the customer's existing home, lifestyle, utility plan, and smart devices before recommending any new purchases.

Customer Trigger Phrases

Examples:

• Lower my energy bill
• Reduce my electric bill
• Save money on utilities
• Why is my bill so high?
• Maximize my energy savings
• Lower my HVAC costs
• Help me reduce energy waste
• Improve my home's efficiency
• Save money on electricity
• Reduce my monthly utility expenses

Step 1 – Ticket Creation

Freshdesk creates a ticket.

Category:

Smart Energy

Request Type:

Lower My Energy Bill

Status:

New

Step 2 – In Review

Determine the customer's current situation.

Utility Information

Collect:

• Electric provider
• Gas provider (if applicable)
• Average monthly bill
• Highest recent bill

Property Information

Collect:

• Home size
• Number of occupants
• Home type
• Approximate age of home

Existing Smart Devices

Examples:

• ecobee
• Nest
• Alexa
• SmartThings
• Smart plugs
• Smart lighting
• Smart blinds

Customer Goals

Examples:

• Lower monthly costs
• Reduce HVAC usage
• Reduce lighting costs
• Improve automation
• Increase efficiency

Step 3 – Move to In Progress

Customer information is attached to the GHL contact.

Information passed includes:

• Utility information
• Property information
• Existing devices
• Customer goals
• Ticket details

The SmartHomeConcierge.ai Bot begins energy analysis.

Step 4 – Energy Analysis

Review all available information.

Utility Usage Review

Analyze:

• Monthly bills
• Seasonal increases
• Usage patterns

Occupancy Review

Analyze:

• Work schedules
• Time away from home
• Sleep schedules

Existing Device Review

Analyze:

• Thermostat settings
• Lighting schedules
• Smart plug schedules
• Existing automations

Home Efficiency Review

Analyze:

• HVAC usage
• Lighting usage
• Appliance usage
• General energy habits

Step 5 – Identify Savings Opportunities

Level 1 – No Purchases Required

Review and recommend:

Utility Plan Review

Determine if a better plan may be available.

Thermostat Optimization

Examples:

• Adjust schedules
• Optimize comfort settings
• Configure vacation mode
• Configure Home/Away features

Lighting Optimization

Examples:

• Turn off unused lighting
• Create schedules
• Automate common routines

Appliance Usage Review

Examples:

• Reduce unnecessary runtime
• Adjust operating schedules

Lifestyle Recommendations

Examples:

• Optimize occupied hours
• Reduce energy use during vacancy periods

Level 2 – Existing Devices Not Fully Utilized

Identify opportunities within equipment the customer already owns.

Examples:

ecobee

• Home IQ
• Comfort Settings
• Vacation schedules
• Smart Recovery

Nest

• Eco Mode
• Home/Away Assist
• Energy History

Alexa

• Away routines
• Goodnight routines
• Energy-saving automations

SmartThings

• Device schedules
• Occupancy automations
• Energy monitoring

Level 3 – New Device Recommendations

Only after optimization opportunities are exhausted.

Possible recommendations:

Smart Thermostats

• ecobee
• Nest

Smart Plugs

Automate high-use devices.

Smart Lighting

Reduce unnecessary lighting usage.

Smart Blinds or Curtains

Reduce HVAC demand.

Energy Monitoring Systems

Track real-time energy usage.

Step 6 – Concierge Configuration Services

SmartHomeConcierge.ai may assist with:

Device Configuration

• Thermostat setup
• Schedule creation
• Comfort setting optimization

Automation Configuration

• Alexa routines
• SmartThings automations
• Occupancy-based controls

Energy Monitoring

• Usage tracking
• Device optimization
• Notification setup

Step 7 – Recommended Enhancements

Additional recommendations may include:

Smart Thermostats

Improve HVAC efficiency.

Smart Plugs

Reduce phantom energy usage.

Smart Lighting

Automate lighting schedules.

Smart Blinds

Reduce cooling and heating demand.

Whole-Home Energy Monitoring

Identify high-consumption devices.

Step 8 – Customer Response

Example:

"We reviewed your utility usage, occupancy patterns, existing smart devices, and energy habits. Several opportunities were identified to reduce energy costs using your current equipment before recommending any additional purchases."

Step 9 – Resolved

Work Completed:

• Utility review completed
• Occupancy review completed
• Device review completed
• Recommendations delivered

Status:

Resolved

SMS Sent:

"Your SmartHomeConcierge.ai energy optimization recommendations are ready. Please review the recommendations and contact us if you would like assistance implementing them."

Step 10 – Closed

Customer confirms recommendations received.

Status:

Closed

Knowledge Capture

Document:

• Utility provider
• Home size
• Existing devices
• Recommendations provided
• Customer outcome
• Savings opportunities identified

Freshdesk Bot Learning

Capture:

• Common energy concerns
• Effective recommendations
• Successful optimization strategies

SmartHomeConcierge.ai Bot Learning

Learn:

• Common causes of high utility bills
• Successful energy-saving configurations
• Effective automation strategies
• Future energy optimization opportunities

Goal

The goal of this workflow is to reduce energy costs by optimizing the customer's existing home, utility usage, lifestyle habits, and smart home ecosystem before recommending additional products or larger energy projects.