e.on monitor brilliant

Mr_K

Got mine last week too, they must have sent a job lot out. Nice 'boys toy' and is sitting nicely on my desk. Won't find out how accurate it is till I get my bill, but it certainly lets you know what's using the leccy. The biggest surprise to me was how much refrigerators/freezers use.

As for setting up its relatively straightforward. A sensor clamp is attached around the live wire coming out of your meter and then beamed to the monitor. The only problem is finding out which wire this is, but I found it by a process of elimination. You can then optionally put some software on your pc and the usage data from the monitor can be downloaded and viewed on graph's or output to a spreadsheet. All great fun. The timekeeping of the clock is a bit erratic seems to lose a minute every time i download data but hey ho ...

Now i've got the meter and cashback from EON its probably time to look for a new supplier again !

moonrakerz

Mr_K wrote: »

The biggest surprise to me was how much refrigerators/freezers use.

I would be really interested to know how much they do use !

Mr_K

moonrakerz wrote: »

I would be really interested to know how much they do use !

My fridge,with small freezer compartment, about 80W when the compressor kicks in. Not a lot, but when you think it's on 24/7. Think my freezer uses more. A kettle, electric oven or anything heating water is really scary, consumption goes to over 2kW but obviously they aren't on all the time.

It's kept me entertained all weekend this meter, must get out more.....

moonrakerz

Mr_K wrote: »

My fridge,with small freezer compartment, about 80W when the compressor kicks in. Not a lot, but when you think it's on 24/7. Think my freezer uses more.

I must confess , I led you on there - I expected the answer you gave.

Your fridge or freezer IS NOT on 24/7, it is controlled by a thermostat, so runs only when it needs to. Most of the time it is not running.

On your figures it would use 700kW per annum - this is completely incorrect, a small fridge/freezer would probably not use a quarter of that. My large upright freezer uses about 250kW a year according to Mr Bosch. (Who has to produce accurate figures - by Law)

I will say again:- these monitors are USELESS, they are inaccurate and people don't know how to interpret the readings they get from them - even if they were right !

If you really want to know how much energy you are using read your meter - that has to be accurate (again) by Law. Also every appliance you buy will tell you how much energy it uses - when it is actually running !

I am all for saving energy/money but these monitors are little more than a "green" gimmick - and if you pay for them - a "green" con.

powerone

What I dont understand with these devices that also can turn off the frezer for example. But when you turn it back on it uses more power to get to the right temperature. Or am I being wrong.

macman

Why do you need an energy monitor to tell you what the consumption of your fridge or kettle is? A 2kW kettle will consume 2kWh. All electrical devices will have their power consumption marked on the rating plate, and usually in the instruction manual.

freddi_2

A 2kW kettle will consume 2kWh

only when it is left on for an hour

If you really want to know how much energy you are using read your meter

Most electricity meters are in a cupboard outside and that means you have to go outside and read your meter.

My energy monitor is sitting next to my computer monitor and also it is connected to my computer. Can you do that with your electricity meter?

Of course it isn't a substitute for your meter but if used correctly to analyse your consumption it enables you to save money.

There is no way reading my electricity meter every month that I would have found out that, when all the electronics in my heating is switched on when the timer switches them on, that electricity is being consumed, even although no heat is being produced or even any gas is being used.


Does anyone know that?

Since I got my FREE monitor from e.on it has been an eye opener just how much electricity is being wasted in my house.

I have now got my usage down from an average of 189 watts to 149 watts during the night. Not a lot, but it all adds up.

You couldn't tell that by reading a meter once a month

Mr_K

macman wrote: »

Why do you need an energy monitor to tell you what the consumption of your fridge or kettle is? A 2kW kettle will consume 2kWh. All electrical devices will have their power consumption marked on the rating plate, and usually in the instruction manual.

It was free (and you're only jealous )

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Hi freddi,

thanks for your post, very useful. E-on sent me one of these last week but I've not dared use it yet - is it easy to set up or do I need a masters degree in electro-physics (middle aged woman speaking here !).??

Hi ERICS MUM

Already some excellent advice on here. Just to add, the monitors are very simple to install but if you do have any difficulties, give our help desk a call. They will be happy to help.

Contact details are in the documents sent with the monitor.

Hope you enjoy.

Malc

victor2

I have the e.on monitor and have to agree with the comments saying how useful it is. However, it is pretty inaccurate. I record my meter readings every day as well as getting the info from the monitor.
Using August and September data gives me the following:
Total consumption according to the meter = 568kWh
Total consumption according to data from monitor = 764kWh

The actual usage is on average just over 25% less than reported by the monitor, but over the two months the difference ranged from 5.3% to 59.8% less than the monitor.
Given this variance, plus the fact that it is not consistent, means the monitor's "cost" display is pretty meaningless and cannot even be adjusted to compensate.
However, it is a great little gadget to have around, and makes me more aware of what is using power.