Energy monitors and how they work

You’re probably aware of different ways to save electricity such as using low energy light bulbs and switching off household appliances on standby, but there are many other ways to reduce your consumption. Most of the research done on this topic shows that the key to saving money on your electric bill is by understanding your consumption behavior. The same research also shows that one of the best ways to change your behaviour and cut your energy costs is by using an energy monitor.

Anenergy monitorpretty much does what it says, it monitors your energy use.

Academic studies

Various studies have proved the cost saving benefits of energy monitoring. In research by the Environmental Change Institute and Oxford University, UK users have been shown to save up to 15% on their electricity bills.

The biggest project in the world, in this field, was undertaken by the Queensland Government in Australia. Through their Climatesmartprogramme, 275,000energy monitorswere installed in homes across the state. The results showed an average saving of 7.9% per home.

There's a lot of talk at the moment about energy monitoring and it looks like over the next few years more and more energy monitors (and smart meters) will come along with the analogue electricity meter in many homes. The latest energy monitors are being produced with the same wireless communication modules than smart meters to make them compatible.

So ultimately, energy monitoring is a useful way to save electricity. Using a monitor regularly seems to raise your awareness of how much you are using or wasting, this has a knock-on effect of changing your behaviour. Maybe you'll turn off those appliances and not leave them on standby, maybe you'll use your washing machine at cheaper times of the day. All the evidence points suggests that these monitors are a good way to save money on your electricity bills.