Monitoring Your Energy Bill - 3 Ways Reviewed

In our final blog post showing the different ways to save energy, I thought it would be good to go over some of the different ways to monitor your energy bill. I like to think that I am far too busy to read (let alone understand!) my utility bill. There are numbers, kilowatts, and other data that the average person just doesn't understand. So here's a little guide on some different monitoring software that will help you save money and more importantly use less energy.

1) Opower is a company that will take data from your neighborhood and tell you where you fit in according to energy used and money sent. It will collect the data a send you a monthly report with all the different ways you are spending energy. While knowing how much energy you use each month is elementary, this program lays it out in an easy to read format. 

The downside to this program is that the individual consumer can't subscribe. Opower works directly with utility companies. So, if you're interested, you have to call up your electric company to see if they will consider signing up.

2) EnergyHub is a set of gadgets that you plug on top of your outlets. You then place whichever device you want to monitor (like your TV or computer) into this gadget. It will send the energy used to a separate monitoring device that keeps track throughout the month. It will also kill any electricity leaching to add savings.

If cutting costs is important to you, EnergyHub may not be the best bet. With a minimum price tag of $300 per kit, you will have to monitor your energy usage for quite a while before this gadget pays for itself.

3) ThinkEco has a similar product called a Modlet. If I were to suggest an introductory device, this would be it. You plug in the Modlet into your outlet and it will automatically (and wirelessly!) track energy use from the device plugged into it. You can track on your computer, set up weekly schedules and even shut down devices from your cell phone.

The price point is $50 per Modlet kit, so if you want to track your refrigerator, computer, TV, phone charger, and alarm clock, it will add up to a lot of dough. But, this may be a good entry point for seeing exactly where you spend your money on electricity.

Here's the bottom line, though. If you're looking to save money on your bill, START SMALL! Turn down your thermostat a couple degrees. Stop having the TV on for background noise. Change your bulbs to compact flourescents. These are simple and cheap options. Once you start doing the simple stuff, then you can continue on to the more advanced methods of saving energy (like tracking). You'll have better results and you will do more good for the environment.
For more information on how to use less energy, I'd recommend going to the MN Power of One Portal. There is SOOOOO much good information for whether you're just starting out or are already exploring alternative energies.


Related Articles-
1) 10 Ways Big Data is Remaking Energy. (gigaom.com)
2) Do Smart Energy Gadgets Actually Save You Money? (moneyexpert.com)

Who Wants to See My Disgusting Air Filter?

I put up a short video describing why it's important to change your furnace filters frequently. If the visual aid doesn't help, I'm not sure what will.

Video of my disgusting air filter, right here!

Really, folks. Changing your air filter will save you money and keep the air you breathe in your home cleaner. The filters themselves can range in cost, but you don't need to spend a lot to get the desired effect. You just need to remember to change them. I put a reminder on my calendar to at least check them monthly.

I've found that buying several filters at a time will make the routine maintenance that much easier. Find a method that works for you.

People, Turn Your Thermostats Down!

I came across a wonderful article on Grist that covers the importance of programmable thermostats (in addition to other heat saving measures like proper insulation and sealing) when trying to save money on your utility bills. Also, there are several comments below the article that show (through physics!) why you save so much energy when you keep your thermostats down.

The article dropped in 2008, but the data is still sound.

Ask Umbra Article

Happy Reading!

Save Money and Energy? Why, Yes, Thank You!

This month we are going to focus on the Energy Conservation pillar of HDT's mission.

 

With the first article, we would like to point out that buying and installing a programmable thermostat is not only a good way to save you money, but also help you use less energy.

A normal thermostat will monitor the temperature of your house and based on what setting you have it at, will heat or cool you house automatically. For example, if you set your thermostat to 68 degrees, it will start to heat your house when it detects the ambient temperature to be below 68 degrees. No problem, right? Well, your ol' fashioned run-of-the-mill thermostat will do this if you're in the house or not. So, unless you change the setting every time you leave the house you would be paying for the gas to heat the air when you're away at work, cooking classes, or perhaps the rodeo. In essence, your current thermostat is being asked to keep your house warm (or cool) even when you are not at home! Why waste the money?

Installing a programmable thermostat might be the solution for you. For as little as $30 you can get one of these bad boys, but the ones with the most useful setting will set you back about $50. Regardless of which model you get, they will all do the same basic thing. They can be programmed to heat and cool your house when you are in the house. You can set it to begin heating in the morning when you usually wake up and to stop when you and your family are off at work and school. It will kick back in when you head home and turn off when you head to sleep. You can even get ones that are pre-programmed to maximize energy savings.

If you're looking to get one of the deluxe versions, I've read that they can even monitor your furnace use and tell you when you need to get a tuning or when to change the air filters...based on how long your furnace has run! They may not be for everyone, because they can reach upwards of $300. (But it links with your cell phone!)

Here's a quick video from the EPA on programmable thermostats.

 If you adjust your thermostat just one degree over 15 hours, you could save upwards of 2% on your fuel bill. Since most households spend about $1000 a year on heating and cooling, that thermostat would pay for itself in under a year. Hooray for saving money!

Related articles

• How To Save Money On Heating Bills (mydecorarticles.com)