Beatrice Lang
With electricity costs on the rise, it's important to understand how to monitor your electricity usage at home to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. There are various devices and methods available to help you track and manage your energy consumption, from simple plug load monitors that measure individual outlet usage to more advanced whole-home energy monitoring systems. These tools can provide valuable insights into your electricity usage, allowing you to identify areas where you can conserve energy and lower your bills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Devices | Power monitors, Smart plugs/power strips, Smart home appliances, Smart meters, Plug load monitors, Home energy monitors |
| Functionality | Monitor energy usage, Identify energy costs, Pinpoint electronic signatures of devices, Identify energy-saving choices, Control energy use remotely |
| Installation | Some require an electrician, Some promise anyone can install them, Some are wireless |
| Cost | $299 to $349 for TED Pro, Sense Energy, and Eyedro, Eyedro offers cheaper home versions for as low as $99, Sense Energy Monitor saves users up to 50% on electricity bills, with an average of 8% savings |
| Examples | Home Joule, Power2Save, Black & Decker Power Monitor, Smartlinc, HomeManageables, IoTaWatt, Emporia Vue 2, Shelly 3em, P3 Kill A Watt EZ, Sense Energy Monitor |
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Plug load monitors
There are various plug load monitors available on Amazon, such as the Power Meter Plug, which has a digital LCD display and seven display modes. It immediately starts recording power consumption when plugged in, and you can set the local electricity cost to see the electricity expense in real-time. It also has an overload protection feature. Another option is the BN-Link BNC-60, which was recommended by Your Best Digs as the best electricity usage monitor system. It is accurate, easy to set up, and comes with a reliable app for scheduling and remote control.
If you are looking for a more comprehensive solution, you can consider the Emporia Energy Gen 3 Vue monitor, which is a whole-home energy monitor. It does not use machine learning but relies on owner interaction and smart devices to identify individual loads and potential areas for saving. You can attach sensors to your home's mains and switch devices on and off while monitoring the load measurements. The Vue app also integrates with various smart plugs, thermostats, appliances, and lighting to see how much power they use.
Other options for whole-home energy monitoring include the IoTaWatt, which is reasonably priced, keeps all data in your home, and easily integrates with common database types. The Black & Decker Power Monitor is another device that uses a wireless sensor to feed information to a portable monitor inside your home, helping you identify the best times to switch off devices to save the most.
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Smart home appliances
Smart plugs, like Smartlinc or HomeManageables, are a less expensive option that allows you to automate and remotely monitor and control the energy usage of individual devices. This means you can turn off the power supply to devices that are not in use, helping you save energy and money.
For a more comprehensive solution, smart electrical panels, such as the one offered by Span, can monitor your entire home's energy usage and let you control and schedule individual circuits' usage. These panels can identify specific appliances by recognizing their unique electrical signatures and provide real-time data on your overall energy consumption. With this information, you can make informed decisions to optimize your energy usage and reduce your carbon footprint.
Additionally, there are smart appliances like refrigerators and washing machines that can also monitor and control their energy usage. For example, the Sense Home App, which works with Wi-Fi-enabled smart meters, can identify and provide real-time data on your appliances' energy usage, send immediate notifications, and help you track your month-over-month energy statistics, including costs.
With the proliferation of smart technologies, energy monitors may become obsolete, as these smart appliances can perform the data-gathering function and add control, coordination, and automation to your energy management.
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Power monitors
There are several power monitor devices available on the market. Schneider's Wiser energy monitor, developed in partnership with Sense, is installed in the electrical panel of your home and automatically identifies the appliances using energy. The monitor connects to the Wiser app, which provides real-time energy usage, notifies you when devices are turned on or off, helps you track energy savings, and provides recommendations to reduce waste and save money.
Another option is the Sense Home Energy Monitor, which also installs in your home's electrical panel and provides insights into your energy use and home activity through iOS and Android apps. Sense uses machine learning to identify individual appliances and their electricity usage, taking a million measurements per second of your home's power usage. This allows you to track your energy consumption in real time and identify opportunities to save money.
For a budget-friendly alternative, Emporia's Gen 3 Vue monitor is a popular choice. Unlike Sense, Emporia does not employ machine learning. Instead, it relies on smart devices and direct observations to measure how much power individual circuits are using. The basic system is a whole-home monitor that tracks and quantifies your overall energy consumption.
If you are looking for a smaller-scale and less expensive option, Smartlinc or HomeManageables are worth considering. These devices allow you to automate your home's devices so you can monitor and control energy use remotely.
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Energy audits
Professional Energy Audits:
Professional energy audits are conducted by certified individuals with industry-recognized credentials. They provide a thorough analysis of your home's energy use and typically include a room-by-room examination of the residence, as well as a review of past utility bills. They use specialized tools such as blower doors, infrared cameras, furnace efficiency meters, and surface thermometers to detect sources of energy loss. Before the audit, make sure to have copies of your home's yearly energy bills and a list of any existing problems, such as drafty rooms or condensation. You can locate professional energy assessment services through your state or local government energy office, energy utility providers, or directories of qualified energy audit certification programs.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Energy Audits:
DIY energy audits are a great first step to understanding your home's energy usage and identifying areas for improvement. Here are some steps you can take to perform your own energy audit:
- Utilize smart home energy management systems: Smart home devices, such as smart plugs or smart power strips, allow you to monitor and control energy usage for individual outlets or appliances. You can also consider integrating smart home appliances, metering, and software for more comprehensive energy monitoring.
- Check for air leaks: Inspect your home for indoor air leaks, including gaps along baseboards, edges of flooring, junctures of walls and ceilings, windows, doors, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets. Seal any gaps with appropriate materials, such as flexible caulk.
- Maintain heating and cooling systems: If you have a forced-air furnace, regularly check and replace filters, especially during high-usage periods or if your home has poor indoor air quality. Consider upgrading to a newer, energy-efficient unit if your system is over 15 years old.
- Improve insulation: Ensure your attic vents are not blocked by insulation and seal any openings or penetrations in the ceiling with caulk. Check the insulation level in your exterior walls by turning off the circuit breaker for a specific wall and probing gently with a long screwdriver.
- Assess lighting and appliances: Lighting typically accounts for about 10% of your electric bill. Consider switching to energy-efficient LED lights and appliances with the ENERGY STAR label.
- Analyze energy bills: Review your past energy bills to identify any unusual spikes in energy usage and set baseline energy consumption rates for your home.
After conducting a DIY energy audit, you can consider calling in a professional energy auditor to perform a more detailed assessment and provide additional recommendations for improving your home's energy efficiency.
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Smart plugs
There are several options available for smart plugs, each with its own unique features. The Emporia Smart Plug, for example, allows you to monitor and control your appliances from anywhere using the Emporia App. It is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home Assistant, so you can control it with voice commands. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) is another popular option, offering features such as energy monitoring, sunrise/sunset scheduling, and an Away Mode. It integrates with all major smart-home platforms and can be controlled via the Tapo or Kasa app.
In addition to the basic functions, some smart plugs offer more advanced features such as Away Mode, which randomly turns devices on and off to give the appearance that someone is home. This can be a useful security feature. Some smart plugs also provide detailed energy usage statistics, allowing you to track your electricity usage over time and make informed decisions about your energy consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use electricity usage monitors like the P3 Kill A Watt EZ, Smart Plugs, or Smart Power Strips. You can also use power monitors like Home Joule, Power2Save, or Black & Decker Power Monitor to monitor whole-house energy use.
Examples of electricity usage monitors include the P3 Kill A Watt EZ, Smart Plugs, or Smart Power Strips. These devices are simple to use and can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers.
Examples of power monitors include Home Joule, Power2Save, and Black & Decker Power Monitor. These devices can help you understand how much electricity your home is using and provide insights into your energy costs.
Electricity usage monitors and power monitors can help you identify areas where you can conserve electricity and reduce your energy costs. They can also help you make better use of your energy and lower your carbon footprint.
Yes, there are alternative options available. You can consider smart home appliances, metering, and software solutions for more comprehensive energy management. Additionally, you can explore options like IoTaWatt or Emporia Vue 2, which offer energy monitoring features with data privacy and integration capabilities.
