August 17th, 2009 — power meters
Microsoft has a great free web-based service that lets households track their energy usage and offers home specific tips to reduce power usage in your home. The Microsoft “Hohm” uses algorithms developed by the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory and the US Department of Energy to help users find out where they can make changes and improvements in their home to reduce energy usage.
Once you sign up you begin the survey by answering questions about your home and about your energy usage. So far the service is still in beta, but it is worth checking out. Another great way to save on energy consumption.
May 17th, 2009 — power meters
TED is a simple at home whole house monitoring device that shows you energy usage in real time.
The unit hooks into your homes electrical panel and feeds data into a remote unit that can sit in a high visible spot inside your home. Optional software called “Ted Footprints” is a data logging software that looks like it will give you all the data and graphs you could desire.
This looks like a a great tool not only for monitoring, but for teaching your kids the connection between energy usage and dollars.
Check out the TED.
May 7th, 2009 — terms
What is Advanced Metering Infrastructure?
Advanced Metering Infrastructure, also known as AMI is an infrastructure plan for new electric meters show real-time data as well as pricing information to the end user of the meter. The infrastructure will be some type of network of communiction with hardware, and software enable detailed power data to be shared. Having the this metering infrastruture in place is the backbone of the power meter goal.
May 7th, 2009 — misc
Having energy usage information, telling you how much energy you are using in your house, will help you make better choice and help you to save resources like energy and money.
So the goal here is to use software to accurately measure and track your energy usage.
