Electricity Monitor

howardtog

Has anyone used one of these. Its a plug in device which tells you the consumption of your appliances and costs about £20.Is it good value or just an interesting gadget to try. Any comments from "users" would be appreciated

moonrakerz

Do a search on this site - it has been discussed many times.

My opinion:
If you have to buy it, it is a waste of money.
If you are given it, it can be extremely misleading.

This is what a company rep said on this very site:

Yorkie1

I found it interesting to go round each item to see what sort of consumption it had, on standby and usage. It was easier to look at the monitor than run downstairs and crick my neck looking at the meter in my understair cupboard. But I take the point that it's not as accurate as the meter.

Haven't really used it much since I did the testing.

daveyjp

Before buying one see if you can borrow one from your library.

Premier_2

moonrakerz wrote: »

Do a search on this site - it has been discussed many times.

My opinion:
If you have to buy it, it is a waste of money.
If you are given it, it can be extremely misleading.

This is what a company rep said on this very site:

I don't believe that is the type that the OP is discussing.

The E.On one is essentially a remote meter or monitor. Owl make one, but there are other manufacturers. (The Eon one is not made by Owl)

The OP talks of a "plug-in" one, although says it costs about £20 whereas I wouldn't pay more than about £7.99 for one. They give the usage of a particular appliance that is plugged into it. They can be useful (as can be the total energy monitor as many other MSE'ers have stated previously on this forum)

HappyMJ

It's just an interesting gadget. Not really worth the money. Get one for free play with it for a bit then that's about it.

Yorkie1

Premier wrote: »

I don't believe that is the type that the OP is discussing.

The E.On one is essentially a remote meter or monitor. Owl make one, but there are other manufacturers. (The Eon one is not made by Owl)

The OP talks of a "plug-in" one, although says it costs about £20 whereas I wouldn't pay more than about £7.99 for one. They give the usage of a particular appliance that is plugged into it. They can be useful (as can be the total energy monitor as many other MSE'ers have stated previously on this forum)

I thought he was referring to one that you plug into the mains and has a clip which you put round the wire at the meter. It displays the energy being used by whatever appliance(s) are drawing power at that time. As opposed to something which goes between an individual appliance's plug and the wall socket.

Premier_2

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I thought he was referring to one that you plug into the mains and has a clip which you put round the wire at the meter. It displays the energy being used by whatever appliance(s) are drawing power at that time. As opposed to something which goes between an individual appliance's plug and the wall socket.

Actually, reading the OP again, maybe I was the one that was wrong
Sorry


Oh well, now the OP has two types to worry about if they are of any use
Whichever, I think like you suggested it can be of benefit but probably only for a short period. Borrowing one, perhaps from the local library as another poster suggested, would probably be the best way forward.

saintscouple

I had one at my old house which had no gas supply and we were on economy 7.
It was very useful in regards to seeing the useage of convector heaters, and using the 'boost' button on heating the water tank.
We were once told that it was cheaper in the winter to keep the boost button for hot water on at all times, but the meter proved this to be massively incorrect.
But once you have monitored the consumption of various appliances, that's it you don't need the monitor anymore.

I wasn't aware you can borrow these from libraries, but certainly the way to go if they do.

howardtog

Thanks useful feedback.Yes I was referring to the plug in device and wasnt aware of the one you clamp on.As our electric bill is about £40 per month at £20 its a costlyto have as it would have to help make significant savings for real payback. Ill scour the internet to see if I can find one for£7.99 (can any give me a link) and Ill check at the librarty.
Once youve identified costly items either to run or on stand by I agreree its redundant but Ill pass around the family.
Thanks again MSErs

Premier_2

Maplins, Aldi & Lidl (to name a few places) have all sold these at £7.99 or less in the past

Maplins item is temporally out of stock online, but do a store check - they seem available in-store
http://www.maplin.co.uk/plug-in-electricity-cost-and-usage-calculator-223573?doy=31m8&criteria=meter