e.on monitor brilliant

moonrakerz

freddi wrote: »

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?

I don't wish to labour the point - but the answer is - yes ! Anything that is powered by electricity will consume electricity when it is "on". The electronics in your CH will be producing heat, albeit a miniscule amount.

Doesn't the word "electronics" give a clue ?

On the subject of these monitors: many electrical engineers will have used "tong testers" to measure current flowing in a cable. These cost hundreds of pounds each for a good quality one - even then most of them will not measure below half an amp - because they are so inaccurate at this low current. Why should a mass produced item that the energy companies actually give away be more accurate than one of these precision instruments ?

freddi_2

Why should a mass produced item that the energy companies actually give away be more accurate than one of these precision instruments

Who expects it to be extremely accurate?

I don't. I did mention on average in my original posting.

I think it is brilliant anyway, it also makes you aware of just how much electricity is being used at that moment in time.

I don't know why some people are so against them and critise them every time someone mentions they have one.

I was looking at the monitor the other day and wondered why the usage was jumping up and down by 1 kWh every so often when I was the only one in the house.

I went looking and found out that my OH had left the iron on.

So it is handy for that.

Another thing the crirics don't seem to realise or take into account is that the transmitter only transmits every 6 seconds so if a 3 kWh kettle was switched on for 4 seconds it might not even be recorded on the monitor.

My fridge has a spike when it switches on which lasts for less than 6 seconds, so sometimes it is recorded and sometimes it is not.

Same with the printer attached to my computer, it switches on for less than 6 seconds when it self tests on boot up.

I did not buy it but because it was free I use it and find it useful.

Cardew

Well I have one - I find it quite useful as it has a clock and temperature display!

Apart from that, I am firmly in moonrakerz's camp.

Far more useful if you want to know what a fridge or freezer(or most appliances) consumes, is to use a £6 power measuring meter and leave it connected to the fridge for a week.

moonrakerz

freddi wrote: »

I don't know why some people are so against them and critise them every time someone mentions they have one.

I am not "against them" per se.

What I am against is the way that these things are "sold" to the gullible as being the solution to the world's energy problems.

Those who charge £30 for one of these things are carrying out a confidence trick.
The energy companies who give these things away are merely trying to pull the wool over consumer's eyes - they know they are pretty pointless.
Why on earth would a company give away a device that will enable people to buy LESS of this company's products ?

Your points about spikes of usage demonstrates (far more than I could !) that the main electricity meter is the ONLY way to measure your actual usage.

The problem is with trying to hold a sensible discussion about these things is that those who have them will then not admit to others that these things are pointless !

PS: An "average" of incorrect readings, is still incorrect

freddi_2

The problem is with trying to hold a sensible discussion about these things is that those who have them will then not admit to others that these things are pointless !

Actually I agree, that for measuring your electricity consumption accurately so that you know to the exact penny how much you are using, they they are pointless.

What they do do is show how much electricity is being used at a specific point in time, without having to go outside to the electricity meter and read it.

Your electricity meter, unless you read it every 5 minutes, will not tell you that you have left a light on in a cupboard when you are going out, if the normal reading on a monitor is 200 watts when you leave home in the morning and it is reading 300 watts. Or even an iron left on accidentally.

What I am against is the way that these things are "sold" to the gullible as being the solution to the world's energy problems.

I also agree with that.

To me it is a novelty gadget and I am already getting bored with it. By the end of the week, maybe sooner, it will be unplugged and thrown in the cupboard along with the powersave adapters that were also given free by e.on.

PS: An "average" of incorrect readings, is still incorrect

But are they incorrect?

linuxsapien

Im a linux user.. wheres my software?

u109230

Cardew wrote: »

Well I have one - I find it quite useful as it has a clock and temperature display!

Apart from that, I am firmly in moonrakerz's camp.

Far more useful if you want to know what a fridge or freezer(or most appliances) consumes, is to use a £6 power measuring meter and leave it connected to the fridge for a week.

I have an Owl monitor & following some very simple electric consumption comparisons between my electric meter & the monitor, I am also in moonrakerz camp.

At best it gives me some relative indication of electric being consumed. Oh & as Cardew said - a nice clock & temperature display.:cool: