Free & Cheap Energy Monitors Article Discussion

Former_MSE_Archna

This thread is to discuss the deals note

Free & Cheap Energy Monitors

Please click reply to discuss

daysleeper23

North Yorkshire Libraries have energy monitors which you can borrow free for 3 weeks, just like a book.

stevem999

I saw Micro Owl energy monitors in Asda in Widnes for £10 each the other day. No idea if it's a national thing, but they were just on the shelf with a yellow 'discount' shelf label showing £10. There were a reasonable number of them so wasn't just the last one or anything. Definitely worth a look in your local Asda though. I didn't pick one up because I've just received my free one from e-on!

Cheers

jobeyjoe

Just spotted that Owl have a discounted 'Dad Pack' available which bundles up the CM119 with their USB receiver product for £39.95 discounted from £52.95 if bought separately (just under 25% discount).

MickJK

Hi,
Having read the article today I called my supplier, Southern Electric (who supply both my gas and electricity - currently). After doing a review of the current bills, I managed to lower my monthly payment by £20 a month as I was clearly overpaying. Additionally I had been on an 'Argos' scheme that I'd completely forgot about, which I was informed was worth £56 (in my hand) AND I got a FREE monitoring device from them by coming off the 'Argos' scheme and going to their 'Better Plan' (think that's what they called it). So in 5 mins on the phone I'm £76 better off and have a free monitor worth (apparently) £45.

Wahoo :-):j

liquidity_2

Take the power consumption figures with a grain of salt or two... I have an Efergy monitor that I bought a couple of years ago and it seems quite accurate with the power consumption rate rising or falling appropriately as things are turned on and off. The free npower monitor that I received reads 80% or more too high when the actual consumption is 250 watts or so. Before you take the readings as gospel read your mains meter and your energy monitor and then reread both in a few days. They should be within 10% of one another.

weemee

Hi all,

Saw the main article lists the Efergy Elite Wireless Energy-Saving Meter. This is currently in Maplins for £29.99, see maplin.co.uk Order Code: N26GG - apparently ends 19/10/2010 according to their site.

eggmizzle

I found the Owl Micro in ASDA for £10 but it was the last one and the box was damaged so got it for £7.50.

tuk585

"Liquidity" has already mentioned it obliquely but if you are an Npower customer you can log onto your account there and order a free monitor. (I will now check to see how accurate it is - thanks Liquidity).

liquidity_2

I sent an email to Green Energy Options, the company that makes the npower meter, asking about its accuracy. I quickly got a very detailed answer back explaining that the power consumption of low wattage devices would not always register properly and that the meter was best used to measure relative consumption (before and after turning on a device) rather than absolute consumption. Reading between the lines its built to a price and some of the better monitors will be more accurate.

gjpountain

Strange isn't it but I got up this morning and looked at Martin's Money and I already have a efergy meter which cost me about £50 a couple of years ago. I keep that one by my bedside to check I've switched all the heaters off etc. It usually works through the night and reads about 150watts ( they say they are unreliable at this kind of consumption - anything below 200watts I think). However I can tell when the fridge or the freezer comes on as it jumps up 100watts or so.
Anyhow, I thought I could do with another of these meters so I nearly bought an OWL direct from owl at £20 but decided it was one luxury to far. Then what happens I'm going round ASDA today and there they are just two of them in tatty boxes priced at £10. Well I had to have one and I now wish I'd bought the other (what a great present).
I also bought a pack of 3 remote control sockets for behind the telly. One for the internet socket, one for the telly and one for the wii. (I have also conected other bits and pieces through using some short lead 4 way extensions).
How much you are asking well believe it or not just £5.
Very cheap and they work and so does the owl meter I've just connected it up..
The Asda by the way was the Accrington Branch

Interesting point.
I have the efergy (expensive unit over 2 yrs old) sat next to my new OWL unit and guess what - the reading are consistently different by a factor of between 150-350 watts. The efergy unit is consistently higher. As I sit here owl reads 1.07 and efergy 1.44 Kwatts.
Wanting to know which is more accurate I have set them both to zero and have taken a meter reading. Will give it a couple of days and see what happens - which is more accurate. Any ideas on why the difference?