My AGL IQ and eWise tools help families curb power use Hugo and Filiz Karahan, along with their children (left to right) Rasul, 18, Kadir, 23 and Adem, 22, who are using My AGL IQ to cut energy use at their Melbourne home. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Supplied FIND out how to save on your energy bills by completing the My Energy IQ Quiz at www.news.com.au/myenergyiq, and be in the running to win a year's supply of free energy from AGL. Prize available in NSW, SA, QLD and VIC. WE'VE compared lawns and cars for generations - now energy companies are tapping in to the notion of "keeping up with the Joneses" to help households in keeping down their energy bills. Power retailers have launched customer tools that draw on behavioural science research which has found people are much more likely to reduce their electricity consumption when told their neighbours are already doing so than they are when urged to protect the environment - or that doing so will save money. "It's enormously motivational," said AGL retail sales general manager Mark Brownfield. It believes its My AGL IQ service can allow families to cut bills by 10 per cent without affecting their lifestyle. Energy Australia executive retail manager Adrian Merrick said its eWise tool could help households reduce their spend by a similar amount. "It brings out the competitive behaviour among consumers," Mr Merrick said. We don't want neighbours to go to war over this, but if they use this in a positive manner then it's good for everyone. Energy Australia developed eWise in partnership with America company Opower, which provides energy efficiency software based on the work of leading behavioural scientist Professor Robert Cialdini of Arizona State University. In 2004, Prof Cialdini did a study in California to identify what would motivate people to change their energy consumption. He had graduate students place door hangers on homes with different messages. One had a financial message, one had an environmental message, and a third had a civic message. None of these door hangers had any impact on consumption. However, on a fourth door hanger it said, "turn off your airconditioner and turn on your fan - 76 per cent of your neighbours do so." This doorhanger led to a 6 per cent drop in usage. My AGL IQ provides electricity and gas consumption comparisons to similar households in the area and then lets families set reduction goals built on making small changes around the home. It also allows for analysis of usage. AGL's Mr Brownfield said My AGL IQ had helped him cut his family's bill by $150 a quarter by identifying the controller on his pool pump was broken and running round the clock. AGL customer Hugo Karahan of Melbourne has already begun working towards a 10 per cent reduction target for his family using My AGL IQ. "I don't think we've compromised on anything," Mr Karahan, of Essendon, said. Every household should have access to it. Imagine collectively as a nation if we save 10 per cent on our energy costs. Asked why energy retailers would want to sell customers less electricity, AGL's Mr Brownfield said: "We see this as front and centre in helping us keep our customers and appeal to and win new customers." The latest statistics from the Australian Energy Market Operator shows customers have been leaving electricity providers at record levels in 2013 in Victoria, NSW and South Australia. Switching rates in Queensland are low compared to highs reached in 2008. The AEMO does not record figures for WA, Tasmania or the Northern Territory. Meanwhile, new research from CoreData finds 83 per cent of consumers have changed their electricity usage in the past year. The most common change was turning off the lights when not in a room, followed by not leaving appliances in standby mode.