Introduction To Electricity Monitoring Systems

Let's face it.  Most of us live tied to an electricity grid.  And whether you use that electricity to watch TV, run your computer, or turn on your lights, well...it's still electricity.  And a lot of that electricity generation is still based on coal-fired plants.  So in order to reduce those emissions (and shave off some dollars on your electricity bills), a great option is to reduce your consumption.  But before you do that (and while you do that), it might be nice to know something about how much electricity you're actually using. 

If you're not interested in picking up electricity monitoring devices, take a look at the How to Gauge Your Electricity Consumption wiki which will help you understand your consumption based on your monthly bill.

Whole House Monitoring Systems

Wattson

• Wattson is made by Diy Kyoto(diykyoto.com). It costs roughly 300 dollars. It works by having your electrical usage transferred to a main device(the Wattson) by a transmitter. It can store four weeks of energy. It can show energy usage in Dollars, Euros, Pounds, Stirlings and Yen. There are some definite positives and advantages to the Wattson. It is important for people to be aware of how much energy they are using. It is important for the environment, and also for the wallet. This device can show many different currencies and therefore be used all over the world. It is portable and not bulky. It is a great eco conscious device that does not need to be plugged in.
• There are some potential drawbacks. At nearly 300 dollars, it could be expensive depending on your need. If you are buying the Wattson outside of England an electrician will be needed for installation. This adds the additional cost of an electrician. If you live in a bigger house or business than you may have to purchase more sensor clips. They cost about 20 dollars each.

• There are some companies that compete with DiyKyoto. Electronic Educational Devices, Lufdesign, Blue Line Innovations, and P3 International all have similar type devices to the Wattson.

• The Wattson is good device for people looking for a state of the art stylish looking electricity monitoring device. If you have the money to spend on it, go for it. Diy Kyoto has made a very nice setup that can wirelessly track you electricity usage.

EM-2500

• This little device is manufactured by Energy Monitoring.  It's a whole house energy monitor that can display the electricity used in either kWh or in dollars.  It retails for $215.

FlowerPod from Design Nord

• From GreenUpgrader: "We have posted energy use monitoring devices in the past but none as playful and beautiful as this one. The FlowerPod from Design Nord is a visual aid for the user to track energy consumption within the home. The concept is that the device will grow like an actual plant would…starting as a sprout then continuing healthily if energy use is favorable. However, if your demand increases the life will seep from the FlowerPod until eventually it dies! Predetermined energy levels dictate favorable energy consumption or overuse but the goal is to make the flower blossom and to be aware of your energy choices in a fun way."

Device Monitoring Systems

Kill-a-Watt

• Know something about Kill-a-Watt?  Add it here.