Has an energy monitor really changed your behaviour?

PNPSUKNET

I had it on for a few hours, and got bored it didnt tell me anything that I didnt know to be honest. It didnt help me cut down

dannymccann

Huw_Sharpe wrote: »

Since taking an interest in my meter readings my behaviour towards utility consumption has defiantly changed, for the better. There are many reasons why everyone should record, monitor and take an interest in their utility consumption, whether it is for financial, environmental or personal reasons.

Financial: It has been documented that those who take an interest in their utility consumption tend to reduce their utility bills by up to 10%. Also by supplying utility providers with regular meter readings you ensure accurate billing. Given the national average gas and electric bill is over £1000 a year, you could potentially save over £100 just by taking an interest!

Environmental: As a nation we are becoming aware of our impact upon the environment and our carbon footprints. While recycling helps with the physical waste we produce, we need be sure we are not wasting gas, electric and water around the home.

Personal: By taking regular readings you increase your chances of detecting any leaks before they cause serious damage, such as flooding or gas explosions. Competitive types will also thrive seeing how their consumption compares to the national average.

I certainly agree with the financial and personal reasons youve stated, but I really do hate how the govt really hammers home this environmental impact thing to us. As the UK, do we not produce something like 2% of GLOBAL emissions? So really, even if we halved (which we wont) our emissions, we would then be responsible for 1% of global emissions, wow :T

To me, if you JUST look at the environmental factors to base your decision on, it really makes no difference what so ever. I wish they would divert their attention to things like wasted packaging and complete recycling, rather than landfilling everything.

Andy_WSM

Huw_Sharpe wrote: »

Environmental: As a nation we are becoming aware of our impact upon the environment and our carbon footprints. While recycling helps with the physical waste we produce, we need be sure we are not wasting gas, electric and water around the home.

Do most people REALLY care about the Environmental impact of turning the TV on to watch their favourite soap, or turning a light on in the evening so they can see to read a book?

I doubt it...

Financial and personal reasons are probably the main reasons that people show an interest in their energy consumption.

SwanJon

Huw_Sharpe wrote: »

...
Financial:
Environmental:
Personal:

That's a direct quote from the website you've mentioned in over half your other posts - big fan?

square-eyes

I have an OWL meter. It has prompted me to install wireless switches to all the TV, computer and hi-fi so I can switch them all off by remote control at bed time. It is surprising the electricity that things that are "switched off" use. I am still surprised by the amount of electricity I seem to use when I am sitting here with one energy saving light on. I suppose that things on time switches, fridges, PIR lamps all use a little bit but it all mounts up over time. I still use 12kWh per day when I used to use 8 kWh per day. Where does it all go? I think I have too many gadgets.

KimYeovil

dannymccann wrote: »

As the UK, do we not produce something like 2% of GLOBAL emissions?

On a global scale Britain hosts a very small proportion of !!!!!philes and nazis. We should stop hounding them as it makes no difference whatsoever...

viv0147

I have had energy monitor from Eon and although I am on staywarm the monitor does help you realize where you are wasting electricity it makes you more aware so I think it can do no harm. My contract allows me to use as much gas and electricity as I like, and for 1 year the payments stay the same but of course if I want to avoid my payments going up at the end of my contract it has to be reasonable use.My new contract starts in September at the same price as the last one and yet I had all the warmth and light I required over the last year why did this happen ? mainly because I tried to avoid unnecessary waste and thats where the energy monitor was so useful it doesn't make you paranoid or at least it shouldn't Lol
but it reminds me of my dad shouting to me make sure you put the light off