Many homeowners want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, but most don’t know how to achieve this goal. Which areas of the home consume the most energy? How can homeowners track their progress to see if they are meeting their goals? The key to your success is an energy monitoring system.

An energy monitoring system is a device that connects to the electricity meter in your home. This device provides real-time information on your energy usage. For example, the device will tell you which appliances in your home are currently using energy and how much energy each appliance is consuming. Basically, an energy monitoring system provides a snapshot of the amount of energy you are currently using in your home.

What Are the Benefits of Using An Energy Monitoring System?

There are many benefits to using an energy monitoring system in your home. First, the device makes it easy for homeowners to save energy. Homeowners can monitor their energy usage to look for opportunities to cut back on electricity. For example, the device may help you realize that you need to cut back on using a certain device or appliance that is using far more energy than expected. 

Homeowners can also adjust their settings so they receive notifications for certain appliances. For example, the device can send you a notification whenever your TV is plugged in and consuming energy even though you’re not using it. This feature can help homeowners save energy by reminding them to turn off and unplug electronic devices and appliances around their home.

By saving energy, this device can help you save money as well. The less electricity you use in your home, the lower your utility bill will be every month. If you make changes based on the information provided by this device, you could save between 5-30% on your annual utility bills.

Saving energy isn’t just about saving money. Improving the energy efficiency of your home will reduce your carbon footprint, too. Everyone should do their part to protect the planet, and installing one of these devices can help you do yours. 

Home Energy Audit vs. Energy Monitoring System

People often use the terms “home energy audit” and “energy monitoring system” interchangeably, but they actually mean two different things. 

A home energy audit is an assessment that is used to help you understand how your home uses energy. Home energy audit tools such as Benefyd require you to answer questions on topics like the age of your appliances and the amount of insulation in your home. The tool will then provide you with an overview of your home’s energy usage, including recommendations on what upgrades to make in order to save energy.

Both a home energy audit and energy monitoring system can improve the energy efficiency of your home. A home energy audit provides you with a snapshot of your home’s overall energy usage, whereas an energy monitoring system provides you real-time information on your energy usage. 

An energy monitoring system primarily monitors electronic devices and appliances, whereas a home energy audit can also improve the energy efficiency of other parts of your home such as the windows, doors, and flooring. Both of these tools should be used to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Start by conducting a home energy audit to learn more about how your home uses energy. Then, use a monitoring system to keep track of your energy usage so you can achieve your goal of living in an energy efficient home.

What to Look For When Shopping For An Energy Monitoring System

There are countless monitoring systems on the market, so it’s important to know what to look for when shopping for one for your home. These are the most important features to look for in a device:

• Real-time tracking
• Mobile notifications and apps
• Easy installation
• Household monitoring

Real-Time Tracking

Your device must have real-time tracking so you can keep a close eye on your energy consumption. This feature also allows you to see how turning off a single device or appliance in your home impacts your overall energy usage. Simply turn the power off and open your mobile app to see the difference in energy consumption.

Mobile Notifications and Apps

You should choose a device with a mobile app so you can access your information from anywhere. The device should also allow you to set notifications so you can receive periodic updates about your energy use.

Easy Installation

Read the instructions to see how easy it is to install the device prior to purchasing it. Some devices are hard to install, so you may need to get help from an electrician. If you don’t want this extra expense, look for a device with an easy installation.

Household Monitoring

Some devices are designed to only monitor the energy use of one appliance, but this won’t help you save a lot of energy. Look for a device that is designed to monitor the energy usage of your entire household as opposed to a single appliance.

Start Reaping the Rewards of Living In An Energy Efficient Home

An energy monitoring system is one of the many smart devices that can help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Start shopping for an energy monitoring system today so you can reap the many rewards that come with living in a green home!