Energy company hopes knowledge is less power

Households across Kowloon and the New Territories are about to find out how energy efficient they are in relation to their neighbours.

A two-year pilot scheme involving 56,000 households was launched this month by electricity supplier CLP Power in the hope of spurring a reduction in energy use.

A Home Energy Report will be posted to customers every other month showing their energy consumption compared to households of "similar profiles" in the area and to the most energy-efficient 20 per cent of these households.

Customers who save energy will be graded great, good or average - with respective emoticons showing a happy, smiling or concerned face.

"The scheme will allow the customer to understand their energy-use patterns and hopefully encourage more efficient energy use," said CLP marketing and customer services director Chow Lap-man.

He said similar schemes overseas had produced an average reduction in energy use of between one and three per cent.