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)