Energy Monitor....

mysterio_2

I'm a little stuck & wonder if anyone could help? received a free real time energy monitor & standby saver plug from british gas a few days ago...we're on pre pay for our elec but thought it would be an idea to see what each appliance is using per hour

I've read the instructions & it states I need to connect the transmitter jaw to the 4th cable from the left in my elec meter cupboard.....we've only 3 wires that I can see...which would I need to connect the transmission cable to??....i'm a total complete tecno dunce!

Thanks for any help!

espresso

The red cable.

mysterio_2

thank you...

gekko_2

Yes, is very good idea to have a energy monitor, not onl having money but helping the world. I read that some new model hand sets got carboon footprint caculator , maybe soon they will have energy monitor built in for mobile phones too.

Lorian

Read the meter (and keep a note, you don't need to submit it) when you install it too. Assuming it's the new model OWL you have, you'll be able to use it to double check your meter reading.

Cardew

mysterio wrote: »

but thought it would be an idea to see what each appliance is using per hour

This device will not give you any idea of what each appliance is using per hour.

You will need to buy a plug in power meter. With this device you can plug in individual appliances - fridge, washing machine, microwave etc and you will see what they use. Don't forget that the majority of electrical appliances have a thermostat that turns them on and off.

For example on your meter your washing might show that it is using 30p an hour when the heater is on. If a cycle lasts 90 mins it won't cost 45p to run as the heater will only be on for a short while. A more average cost of a cycle might be 6p.

However for an appliance without a 13 amp plug nothing will show you the cost per hour e.g. cooker or immersion heater.

espresso

Cardew wrote: »

This device will not give you any idea of what each appliance is using per hour.

You will need to buy a plug in power meter. With this device you can plug in individual appliances - fridge, washing machine, microwave etc and you will see what they use............

Someone must have been listening Cardew. The latest Current Cost CC128 Energy Monitor can monitor up to nine individual appliances on a single display unit and view this data either on-screen or with a PC using the optional data cable and software. More details here.

mysterio_2

ahh that explains things then its a cc128 I've been given

(although the instructions leave a lot to be desired!)

Cardew

espresso wrote: »

Someone must have been listening Cardew. The latest Current Cost CC128 Energy Monitor can monitor up to nine individual appliances on a single display unit and view this data either on-screen or with a PC using the optional data cable and software. More details here.

Interesting - thanks.

Strange that they would market the individual modules and cables but rely on the customer to obtain their own open source software.

It seems a bit of overkill IMO. The plug-in power meter from Lidl/Aldi only costs £6 or so when available.

I suspect most of us use the power meter to check our appliance once and then forget about it. I checked the consumption of my Chest freezer, washing machine, fridge, PC etc etc and that is that. I know my freezer uses approx 7kWh a week on the recommended setting and there is nothing I can do about it.

1carminestocky

How much does your leccy oven use in a week?

Cardew

1carminestocky wrote: »

How much does your leccy oven use in a week?

See last line of post #6