Home Energy Monitoring - Update
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 6:04 pm 
By Ryan BrownA few weeks back I posted about The Energy Detective - a new product for Home Energy Monitoring. Since then there have been several other great articles about new options for monitoring energy prices and home energy consumption:
First, local builder Matt Risinger added a link to the Kill-a-Watt device in the comments of my original post.
The Kill-a-Watt is plugged in between a device (lamp, computer, microwave) and a power outlet. This way it can monitor the power consumed the plugged-in device. Here is a detailed review of the Kill-a-Watt EZ on the Gadgeteer blog. Definitely a good option to monitor the power of specific appliances.
One important aspect of energy consumption is the effect of demand on energy prices. Electricity prices rise during times of peak demand (like during hot afternoons). Reducing your power consumption during these peak periods can have a big impact on your electricity bill. Two new technologies have been used to help customers reduce their peak demand.
First, the Ambient Orb - this device was designed as a way to unobtrusively convey useful information (stock prices, temperatures, etc.). It was effectively used by Southern California Edison Power company to make customers aware of energy prices, and thereby reduce their peak demand. Here are a few articles on this topic:
- Wired Magazine: Clive Thompson Thinks: Desktop Orb Could Reform Energy Hogs
- Inhabitat: Ambient Orb Coverage
This use of the Ambient Orb was so popular that Ambient devices released the Energy Orb, an Ambient Orb built (not hacked) for this purpose.
Interestingly, the Ambient Systems (maker of the Ambient Orb) also makes a product specifically for tracking energy prices and consumption - the Energy Joule.
Like the ambient orb, it changes color to indicate the current energy cost. It also displays temperature, energy usage, and energy cost meters. Here are a couple of links discussing the Energy Joule:
- Infosthetics: Ambient Devices Energy Joule
- Inhabitat: Energy Joule Coverage
As you can see there are lots of options for home energy monitoring. Any of these devices are excellent tools to encourage efficient energy usage.
