You probably know that energy consumption has been on the rise in recent years. These increases are a huge problem for our planet and your wallet! With home energy monitors, you can ensure you're not wasting money or creating more environmental issues to deal with down the line. It's essential to be conscious of just how much power your appliances are using so you can make adjustments as needed at home. That’s where a home energy monitor comes into play. People can be surprisingly unaware of how their energy is spent in their home. A monitor will provide you with the information you need to save money, save energy and live more efficiently.
How Do Home Energy Monitors Work?
Home energy monitors are beneficial for homeowners. These devices measure and chart your energy consumption over time, which is a great way to understand the patterns of how you use power.
One of the most valuable features that home energy monitors offer is real-time monitoring. When something in your house goes on or off, it sends an alert about what's happening, so you can take action right away if it’s needed. Most energy monitoring systems have two to three components:
- Sensor - The sensor clips onto the power cable connected to your electricity meter. The sensor is the component you plug into a socket to measure your energy use.
- Smartphone Or Connected Device - A home energy monitor is a small handheld device that shows you how much electricity you're using. Some models connect to your computer or smartphone, which allows you to view more information on your monitor or mobile screen.
- Transmitter - Some models have additional features, including a transmitter that sends data wirelessly to your handheld device screen.
What Are The Benefits Of Home Energy Monitors?
Home energy monitors offer many benefits. They can help you understand how your home is using power, alert you to faulty appliances and provide guidance on ways that you might be able to save money by reducing the amount of electricity used in some areas of your house. Another perk with these devices is they are easy for homeowners to install themselves if they prefer a Do-It-Yourself solution.
As a homeowner, every step you can take to manage your home more efficiently is a solid investment in your home. After all, every dollar you save on your energy bill can get diverted to savings or put towards other household expenses.
What Are The Best Home Energy Monitors?
There are many home energy monitors on the market. One of our favorites is the EcoBee ES-100 Energy Monitor because it offers real-time monitoring, can be paired with WiFi systems, and comes in a wide variety of colors. Other home energy monitors worth considering include the Sense Energy Monitor, Efergy Home Energy Monitor, and the EcoHub.
- Sense Energy Monitor - This home energy monitor is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice controls that make it simple and straightforward to use.
- Efergy Home Energy Monitor - This home energy monitor is compatible with Apple HomeKit, making it much easier to control your smart devices from one app.
- EcoHub - This all-in-one wireless and wired device can measure power, track usage, provide notifications about potential issues, and more. The EcoHub also has a battery backup, so you never lose data if there is a power outage.
Things and factors to consider when choosing the right energy monitor for your home include:
- Phases - Energy monitors are available in single-phase and three-phase, so your choice will depend on what kind of wiring you have in your home.
- Protocols - Some monitors are compatible with Z-Wave and WiFi, while others use a proprietary protocol. It's essential to know the type of energy monitoring system already existing at your house before buying an incompatible device.
- Amperage - The amperage of your outlets must also get taken into consideration.
- Price - The price of the monitor is also a factor in determining what type to buy. Suppose you want to keep an eye on your usage patterns and don't care too much about all the bells and whistles of a more expensive energy monitor. In that case, you can install single energy monitors into individual outlets.
If you're searching for a more comprehensive solution, you can spend hundreds of dollars to outfit your entire home with energy monitors. Adding Home Energy Monitors helps you understand how your home is using energy. You'll likely find out there are changes you could make that would save money on your monthly energy bill, and feel good about reducing the impact of climate change.
