Home Energy Monitor
A home energy monitor is a gadget that shows you exactly how much electricity you are using. Its main purpose is to help you save on your power bill. They can also alert you when appliances are running.
Energy monitors come in several different types. They range from basic plug-in models that are designed to plug into an outlet and measure the energy used by an appliance, to whole-home systems that fit into an electrical panel. Some also have mobile apps. These can be helpful in tracking how much electricity you are using, how to save, and even show you which appliances are wasting the most.
The top of the line home energy monitor integrate with other smart devices and allow you to track energy use on a minute-to-minute basis. This information can be used to suggest energy saving measures, such as turning off the lights at night or adjusting appliances. In addition, some models even offer a wireless option, allowing you to receive real time data on your energy usage.
What is a Home Energy Monitor?
Another great feature of some energy monitoring systems is the ability to automatically turn off appliances or start them when an alarm is detected. For example, an alarm could be set to turn off the television when the kids come home. You could even set up a system that automatically starts your coffee maker when you leave the house.
When choosing an energy monitor, consider how many individual circuits you want to monitor. If you have several, a whole-house energy monitor is probably your best bet. But, if you have just one or two, a basic plug-in model may be more appropriate. Also, make sure the monitor you select is UL or ETL certified.
One of the more popular types of home energy monitors is a Sense model. This device tracks energy use and sends you a summary of your monthly usage every week. It also works with a smartphone, allowing you to receive notifications when your refrigerator door opens or when your sump pump is on.
Other notable energy monitoring systems are those that connect to the Internet. Many of them are equipped with a mobile app, which allows users to view their data in a variety of formats. Depending on the brand, some will display the average energy use for an individual household, or the average energy use for the area. Using a mobile app can be a fun way to learn about your usage and get tips on saving energy.
However, most energy monitors only give you a glimpse of the entire picture. A whole-house energy monitor will be more comprehensive and will offer a detailed energy plan. Not only that, but they are also more accurate. Basically, the biggest difference between a whole-house monitor and a plug-in model is that a whole-house monitor can monitor multiple appliances, but it cannot control the appliances themselves.
Among the other options is the Vue platform, which incorporates all the features of a basic plug-in monitor and adds a slew of new features. Besides offering breakthrough pricing, it integrates with third-party smart devices such as EV Chargers and Emporia Smart Plugs.
