Smart, Green Home: 3 Innovative Energy Monitors
On average, American consumers spend over $100 per month on home electricity costs. For those like us, however, this tech-driven life pushes home electricity costs far higher. Let’s face it, we’re not going to give up the gadgets– but there is a way to fight this pricey little fire with fire. There is a new trend in green gadgetry, one that promises to curb our home electrical use with detailed information and intelligent control. Stick around, we’ve got the scoop on three innovative energy monitors that will save you money and help heal this warming world…
The DIY Kyoto Wattson
The DIY Kyoto Wattson is as sexy as it is smart, a high design energy monitor that keeps its finger on your home’s electrical pulse. The Wattson system involves two elements: a sensor clip that attaches to your home’s electrical system and the Wattson hub, shown above. The Wattson hub shows your current monthly electrical usage cost in real time, and connects to your mac/pc computer for the dirty details.
The software element of Wattson, aptly dubbed Holmes, gives you a profound level of detail about your electrical usage patterns, peaks and prices historically and in real-time. Additionally, Holmes offers user-to-user networking, allowing Wattson users to trade tips and techniques on how to save even more dough. Out of the box, Wattson promises to offer instant electricity savings of 5% to 20%. The catch? Wattson is not yet available in the US, as he and Holmes have their hands full saving money for 220v Brits. The Price? £99.
The EnergyHub
Like DIY Kyoto’s Wattson, this device promises electricity savings up to 20%. Unlike Wattson, this innovative little device will be available in the US. The EnergyHub is also a two-piece system, using plug attachments that wirelessly transmit electricity usage data to the EnergyHub’s control unit. The EnergyHub’s control unit features a touch-screen display with details about current usage, historical data and otherwise.
One exciting part of EnergyHub’s software system are the mode settings and monthly usage targets. EnergyHub can be set to control your use of electricity based on your activity. When you’re away, EnergyHub will set your home to run on max efficiency– which means that your cell phone charger that is bleeding electricity when not in use will be cut off at the outlet automatically. Additionally, EnergyHub can set usage goals for each month, allowing you to actively reduce your usage month over month. There is no word on pricing or official release just yet, but we’ll post news the second it comes our way.
T.E.D.: The Energy Detective
While T.E.D. may not be as pretty as his other counterparts, we assure you that looks aren’t everything. T.E.D.: The Energy Detective is most similar to Wattson, in that its display is basic but detailed data is available on its included PC software. Also, like the others, T.E.D. saves its users between 10% and 20% on their electrical bill. The biggest difference? T.E.D. is available today ranging in price from $140 to $210 USD.
T.E.D.’s main unit displays your current home electricity use in dollars per hour, your monthly total to date and a projected monthly figure. T.E.D.’s software system provides deep historical detail on your electrical usage, enough information for both the layman and the electrician alike. The best part- at $140, T.E.D. can pay for himself in as soon as 7 months if you’re an average consumer of electricity in the US…
Thanks for reading. Be sure to check out more of GearCrave’s sustainable and green gadget coverage. If we missed any home energy monitors that you think are cool, feel free to share them in the comments!
