Energy consumption monitors

willwright81

Are these worthwhile?

And how do you set them up? I live in a flat so my meter is 3 floors down and in a shared room. Not really where I want to put something I've paid for if it has to be attached to the meter in some way.

Thanks,

Will

Chunks

Hi Will

I have one that monitors electricity usage. It runs by sending some form of wireless signal from a unit clipped around the power cable to a free standing display. Dead easy to set up but I wonder how it might work in your situation...... (signal loss issues maybe)?

I am keen on 'kit' and it is undeniably interesting seeing what the effect is of turning stuff on and off. ‘Are they worthwhile’ is a b.good question.

Unless you like cold tea, if you need to make a cuppa, the cost of turning the kettle on is the same (ignoring the cost of the device, which you cannot I accept) so no saving there. That said, if you overfill the kettle and boil water for two cups rather than one you are wasting energy (dont need a monitor to work that one out).

On the plus side however, you get to know what your ‘background’ usage is (during your normal occupation throughout the day) so if you leave something on you can see it as a higher reading. You have a think, then go and turn off the offending item. If you have an alternate source of lighting in your living room for example, you can see that the reading and or table lighting is more than adequate and turn off your main light.

Overall, if you take the cost of the unit (and the batteries to keep the two component parts going) I wonder in my case. That said once you ‘audit’ your circumstances so to speak, and turn stuff off, you may well see things differently.

Mine was a present from my son, so of course I love it. If you get one free then you have very little to lose.

C

spiro

willwright81 wrote: »

Are these worthwhile?

And how do you set them up? I live in a flat so my meter is 3 floors down and in a shared room. Not really where I want to put something I've paid for if it has to be attached to the meter in some way.

Thanks,

Will

Where is your consumer unit? 3 floors down or in your flat?

sbradnam

Hi Will,

the display can be kept in your flat (plugs into the mains). Mine is with EoN and they provide software to allow you to monitor energy usage, via a US B hook to your PC. The wireless transmitter is the bit you have to leave with the meter/supply wire, which it hooks around, and is itself powered by a couple of D-cell batteries - it transmits wirelessly to the display.

But bottom line, there is a component you have to leave connected to the supply/meter.

Hope this helps

Stu :cool:

macman

As suggested above, it's where your CU is that is relevant, not your meter. I doubt that the wiireless link would work through 3 floors anyway. You already have a highly accurate monitor-it's called an electricity meter.