Reducing power consumption and saving money with energy monitoring
Adding a real time energy monitoring system to your home could save you as much as 20% on your hydro bill.
There’s an incongruity in today’s modern household. On the one hand it’s chock-full of high tech devices aimed at making our lives easier and more efficient, but on the other hand those same devices can cause us to be less efficient with our energy usage. After tremendous energy conservation successes in the UK, Europe and Australia, efergy, a UK based company, is empowering Canadians to save energy through real time monitoring. Whatever flavour energy may come in, whether it’s nuclear, solar, wind, tidal or something hitherto unknown, using it efficiently is the responsible thing to do — and it saves money.
“Homes equipped with real time energy monitors typically use up to 20% less energy than homes without the monitors.” -Lyn Chapman, Managing Director, efergy Canada
efergy’s products help their customers conserve energy by providing them with real time monitoring, the most effective tool for reducing energy consumption, as well as recording usage data for later examination and comparison. efergy’s current line of electricity monitors includes their e2 classic 2.0 ($126.95) and the elite classic 3.0 ($119.95). Much like a thermostat does for temperature, these monitors display real-time electricity consumption in kilowatt hours (Kw/h), the standard unit which the electricity company uses to charge customers. The displays also offer readouts of estimated carbon offsets, averages, current temperature, humidity, date, time, a variety of historical usage statistics and, once programmed with local regulations, the current tariff rate based on time-of-use billing.
Installing one of efergy’s monitoring devices is a simple affair; sensors are clamped around cables in your breaker panel and connected to a transmitter which wirelessly sends real time consumption levels to the display unit. That being said, if you’re not comfortable opening your electrical panel, enlist the help of someone who is, or a professional electrician — don’t exceed your experience. If you do decide to install the sensors yourself, wear rubber-soled shoes and have someone with you in case of emergency (also to show off your DIY prowess). The display unit itself can be mounted, or remain portable, this allows the user the option of bringing it along when they turn something on or off in order to see the immediate impact on their electricity usage.
I had the elite classic 3.0 up and running in about 15 minutes and have been monitoring my usage levels for about two weeks now. It took no time at all to see the relatively astounding energy costs of obvious devices like my electric clothes dryer or my air conditioning unit, but also some perhaps not-so-obvious energy hogs including my partner’s electric hair dryer, my soldering iron and even my coffee maker. The information I have gathered and continue to, helps me make informed decisions as to which devices have high energy costs, how those costs relate to other devices, whether or not I should continue to use those devices, and, if so, when to use them in order to incur the lowest tariff. I have thus taken the first, and most beneficial step, in energy conservation.
“It is real time energy consumption information displayed on a dedicated, readily available screen that yields the highest conservation outcomes.” -Lyn Chapman, Managing Director, efergy Canada
The data train doesn’t stop at efergy’s displays either, the e2 classic 2.0 can be connected to a PC or Mac via USB in order to examine the recorded usage data with efergy’s elink software and in true internet age form, the company’s latest innovation, Engage, allows users to monitor their usage online and connect with a community to share energy-saving tips. The Engage Platform requires efergy’s Home Hub package (available imminently) which connects to the same sensors as the elite classic 3.0 and the e2 classic 2.0 as well as your home network in order to upload sensor data to the Engage Platform.
Since I had already installed the elite classic 3.0, installing the Home Hub was a breeze; I simply plugged in its power cable and connected it to my internet router. A few minutes later I had registered it on the Engage Platform and was able to see my real time and historical usage data from any web enabled device, including tablets and smartphones. A daily chart illustrates usage patterns that can help with energy consumption detective work. Among other things, I’ve deduced that the steady pattern across my daily usage chart is my refrigerator compressor. Though the Engage Platform is still under construction with many features still to be added, I’ve found using it a pleasant experience. efergy hopes that the Emerge Platform will be the next generation in energy monitoring: a free, online, community-based solution for monitoring, reducing and saving.
While efergy’s focus on ease-of-use, return on investment and innovation make them a compelling choice for bringing your household to the next level of efficiency, other options exist.
Blue Line Innovation's PowerCost Monitor
Canadian-based Blue Line Innovations offers a similar product in their PowerCost Monitor. Much like the efergy elite classic, the PowerCost Monitor is made up of two elements: A sensor unit which includes a wireless transmitter, attaches to your existing electricity meter by way of strap and clamp, and the wireless receiver panel which displays the real time information.
Blue Line also offers a way to connect the PowerCost Monitor to WiFi via their WiFi Bridge accessory, however the company has chosen to align themselves with third-party online monitoring sites such as myEragy, PlottWatt or PeoplePower instead of developing their own solution.
The basic PowerCost monitor will run you about $109 or less depending on the retailer, but before buying make sure you check with your local electric utility. In Ontario, for instance, Toronto Hydro is offering their customers a free Blue Line PowerCost Monitor if they sign up for TH’s PeakSaver PLUS program – which gives the utility the ability to regulate your home central air conditioner during times where peak energy demand is especially high.
Belkin's Conserve Insight monitor
If a whole-home monitoring solution seems like overkill, or if you live in a condo or other residence where accessing the power meter or panel is not practical, you can choose an energy monitor that works off an individual outlet, like Belkin’s Conserve Insight. The premise behind the Conserve Insight is the same as the efergy and BLI products in that it offers you real time information regarding your energy use, but unlike those whole-home models, the Conserve Insight is designed for temporary monitoring of a single appliance (or set of appliances) attached to one electrical outlet.
You might even opt to combine the Conserve Insight with a whole-home solution. At $29, the Conserve Insight won’t break the bank, plus it can do something that the whole-home systems can’t: It will give you accurate data on the energy demands of a single appliance, no matter how big or small. Wondering just how much it costs to keep your cellphone charger plugged in when you’re not actually charging your device? The Conserve Insight was made to answer that question. To get a similar reading from efergy or Blue Line products, you would have to turn off every single other electrical device in your home, in order to be sure what the display was showing you was accurate - particularly on low-wattage items like alarm clocks or chargers.
Regardless of the solution, a modestly priced energy monitoring system will pay for itself easily within a year and when you factor in the benefits to the environment that energy conservation brings, I’d say it’s a no-brainer.
Had a Blue line monitor and loved it. Problem is it didn’t work on the smart meter that the utility installed so now I own some electronic junk. to add insult to injury the meter chosen by the utility can not be read by any divices I have researched so far.
Ditto…Mine was a Black & Decker version of it. $100 into the garbage bag. That could have bought me 1 month of AC. The product is a money grab. The marketers must have known that the new meters would render the device useless.
There are some smart meters that the units will work on but if the utility chooses not to use them we are SOL. What gets me is we have to have a “STUPID” meter but we don’t get to decide which one we want them to install it is their choice not ours.
I’ve got the Blue Line as well. Strangely, it started working just fine with our smart meter, but a few weeks ago it stopped communicating with the panel. Not sure why. I have a feeling the transmitter unit is very sensitive to rain, debris etc, since it uses an optical sensor to detect the signals from the smart meter’s optical port. Last time I called their tech support number they were very friendly and helpful.
I believe their site has a list of the meters they are compatible with if there are any doubts.
Peter B, are you sure it wont work with the smart meter? We just got them in Niagara, Ontario and my bills have jumped through the roof. I would love to pick one of these gadgets up to save a little bit of money.
Also, has anyone tried those green energy bars? They are supposed to stop phantom power. Are they worth the investment?
I’m doing research and I have found (so far) 2 units that I am interested in. I’ll dig out the papers and let you know which ones they are later on today.
Just so you all know my qualifications. I’m a licenced 309D electrician and an Ontario Master electrician and have been in the trade for 39+ years, so I know a little bit of what I talk about.
Sorry for being slow, I have the 2 units info now and here it is.
http://www.TED5000.ca
http://www.efergycanada.ca
These 2 are up there in my opinion and I will be investigating them further.
BD Williams If you check the Blue Line site there should be a list of the compatable smart meter that their unit works on. In my case I have found out that the utility dilerbately chose a meter that we can not clamp on a sensor and get it to read. I even mucked around with the various mounting conditions and never was able to secure a signal.
I should mention that I attended the public meeting when the “Smarts” were installed and was very vocal about what was being inposed on us. so much so the the project manager does not have to Balls to answer my E-mails. Again remember I’ve been in the industry for close to 40 years and do know a little bit about electrical systems.
If anyone has any other thoughts and ideas I’m all ears.
Hey Peter, why were you opposed to the new smart meters?
efergy’s sensors clamp around the lines in your electrical panel, past the meter — unless I’m missing something I don’t see how the type of meter matters in this scenario.
Simon since the smart meter went in I have seen a 68 % increase in my electrical bill and I have a 7% decrease in my consumption.
Phil have you been to the Blue Line website to see how it works. There is no need to go near live electrical components. Efergy and TED5000 require you to expose yourself to live power. What is safer for the average consumer do it yourselfer? Sure I can do the job withrelatively little risk but a DIY’er might get hurt or killed in a live situation. Have to go now I’m at work and we have a break down, more to follow tonight.
Yes, certainly safety is a valid concern, as I mentioned in the post, one should not exceed their experience when it comes to working on an open electrical panel. That being said, I think any solution which eliminates the utility’s opportunity to invalidate it is always preferable, having it reside indoors and protected is a plus as well.
Simon, I had a chance to look at my electrical bill and here are the stats:
befor the Smart meter 5 cents for the first 1000KWHr. 5.6 cents after that each month. I usually use about 1100KWHrs. per month. Less in the spring and fall and more in summer and winter. Now lets look at the smart meter and take into mind that I am a shift worker and do all 3 shifts 2 weeks at a time, Nights followed by Afternoons and then Daze. Here are my rates:
off peak summer 6.5 cents, mid peak 10.0 cents, On-peak 11.7 cents. total consumption 998.85 KWhr.broken down: Off= 683.82, mid 137.17, on-peak 177.86. Back to the old, my bill would be 449.94 Smart $78.98 and my consumption is very close to flat lining month to month. So in conclusion I am looking at a new system to monitor but there isn’t much else I can do short of turning off the main switch to keep costs down. I have looked at the power bars and it isn’t the best option my present electrinics for my entertainment equipment needs power at all times other wise I have to reprogram them, hense they are on UPS systems. One other note on power bars keep them clean and dust free we had some catch fire because of dust at work on the shop floor.
P.S. Phil I like the icon you assigned to me.
Hey Peter,
So it’s not the smart meters per se that you dislike, it’s the TOU (Time Of Use) billing that they enable. I understand. Generally speaking TOU does increases electricity costs if people don’t shift their usage patterns. But when you consider that the utilities need to find ways to reduce energy demand in peak times, TOU makes the most sense. It penalizes people who use power during peak times by making it more expensive. The rationale being that if you don’t want to spend more, you’ll shift your usage to non-peak times. Of course people like yourself who work shifts definitely feel more pain that the rest of the community.
Correction to my old bill number should be $49.94 not 449.94
Simon, You got my point and it is that point that I made at the public meeting. TOU is discriminating against senors and shift workers. My appliances are only 5 years old and I don’t have the benefit of programing them to come on in off peak hours, so how do I do my dishes (2 X a week) and my 5 loads of laundry when I’m at work? There is no vehicle in place to assist us. If I could I would shift more to off peak but that is not possible. Oh yes what about cooking dinner do you wait until after 7:00 pm to cook and eat? One other point the province in Germany where I was born has 95% of it’s domestiic consumption based on wind and solar power and there aren”t very many complaints about that equipment so how come Daulton and his fiberals don’t move faster on alternative energy sources? We need more capacity. I say if you don’t want a wind or solar farm in your neighbourhood then when brown outs are needed then you NIMBY’s should be the ones to suffer. Sorry I’m starting to rant again.
Peter.
What are your thoughts on solar panels. I noticed some houses have started adding smaller ones. Are they worth the investment?
Mr. Williams, I must say I like the idea of solar panels and if I had the money and space in my small house I would probably be installing a system. The only draw backs that I see are cost of installation and pay back period. If your planning on staying in your home for 20+ years then you can justify the expense. It is not something that is considered to have a lot of added value to the property since many people still aren’t sure or comfortable with the technology and what is involved in these systems and their up keep. Just a side note the TED5000 power monitor has solar and wind connectability. I am also open to a wind generator on my property and I have see one that is anexcellant choice if you want to have an electric vehicle in your driveway.