Last updated: January 11th, 2024 at 07:04 am
Energy monitors are devices that monitor your home energy consumption and empower you to make changes in your electricity usage behavior, ultimately resulting in reduced electricity bills. There are various types of energy monitors available in the market. These devices accurately record your energy consumption and come in different forms, such as energy monitoring plugs, smart meters, and whole-home smart energy monitors.
By using these devices, you can gain valuable insights into how much electricity your TV, washing machine, and other appliances are consuming, and discover ways to optimize your energy usage and save on your electricity bills. This article will provide you with a detailed insight into the best smart energy monitors available for homes in the UK. It will cover information on how these devices work and the benefits they offer.
What Are Energy Monitors?
Energy monitors are devices that accurately measure the electricity consumption of each of your appliances. They come in various forms, such as plugs, LCD screens, and even devices that connect to your electricity meter to monitor the overall energy usage of your entire house. Smart energy monitors for home automatically measure the amount of electricity you are using, enabling you to make informed changes to your energy consumption behavior and reduce your electricity bills.
Types Of Smart Energy Monitors
Smart energy monitors for homes are typically available in three different types, each catering to specific monitoring needs. Whether you’re looking for whole-house energy monitoring or tracking the energy consumption of individual appliances, there is a smart energy monitor for you. Let’s explore the types of smart energy monitors for homes:
- Plug-in Energy Monitor
- Smart Meters
- Whole-home Energy Monitor
Plug-in Energy Monitors: The widely Used Energy Monitors
Plug-in monitors are the most common type of smart energy monitors for home. They are easy to install and use, and they can be used to track the energy consumption of individual appliances. Smart energy meters are more expensive than plug-in monitors, but they offer a wider range of features, such as the ability to track energy consumption over time and to receive alerts when appliances are using more energy than usual.
Whole-home smart energy monitors are the most expensive type of energy monitor, but they offer the most comprehensive data. They can be used to track the energy consumption of an entire home, and they can be used to identify areas where energy can be saved.
Emporia Smart Home Energy Monitor
The Emporia home energy monitors not only record and measure your home energy consumption but also monitor the electricity production of your solar panels. In addition, they track the amount of excess energy being sent back to the national grid. It is important to note that the Emporia smart home device requires additional space for installation. This device comes with 16 sensors that are attached to individual circuits, allowing you to monitor the energy usage of specific appliances such as washing machines, cookers, boilers, and tumble dryers.
Aeotec Home Energy Meter Gen5
Aeotec is another high-quality home monitoring device, similar to the Emporia smart home energy monitor. Like the Emporia monitor, the Aeotec device also requires ample space for installation. It operates wirelessly with a range of up to 100 meters and boasts an impressive 99 percent accuracy in monitoring home energy electricity usage. The Aeotec device can detect up to 60 amps of electricity at any given time, unless you are planning to run all your appliances simultaneously.
Mexico 13A Electricity Power Consumption Monitor
This monitoring device measures power consumption and also calculates the electrical cost in real-time. It features a built-in battery option that ensures your data is saved even during a power outage. this smart energy monitors device displays warnings on the screen if the load of a connected device exceeds 3680W.
Energine MIH0006 Whole House Energy Monitor
Energine is a Wi-Fi connected energy device that enables you to monitor your home electricity consumption from anywhere in the world. Additionally, when you are at home, you can use voice commands through platforms like Alexa and Google Home to control specific appliances. The setup process is straightforward: simply clip it to the mains cable, plug it into the hub, and you’re ready to go.
TP-Link Tapo Energy Monitoring Smart Plug
The TP-Link Tapo Energy Monitoring smart plug operates similarly to other Wi-Fi connected monitoring devices. This provides you with valuable information about the power consumption of your home appliances and notifies you about which devices are using the most energy. Additionally, you can conveniently test your appliances while on the way to the office.
Efergy Engage Hub Kit – Best for Solar
The Efergy Engage Hub Kit offers free access to its website and app, allowing you to monitor your energy usage in real-time. With this device, you can easily set your monthly or weekly budget goals, making it an affordable option. It also provides access to monitoring up to five different circuits if you wish to track specific devices. Installation is straightforward and hassle-free.
Best Smart Plug: Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini
If you’re not interested in monitoring your entire home’s energy consumption, the Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini is the perfect option for tracking individual appliances. With its strong Wi-Fi connectivity, you can conveniently turn on your lamp before arriving home on a dark night. The Kasa Smart Plug monitoring system also allows you to easily check whether you’ve switched off appliances before leaving for the office. This affordable monitoring device offers excellent performance and makes it one of the top smart energy monitors for home.
Topgreener Smart Wi-Fi Outlet Energy Monitoring
Are you someone who often forgets to switch off appliances when leaving home and desires a device that allows you to control them remotely? The Topgreener Smart Energy Monitoring device is the perfect solution for you. With its built-in smart metering feature, you can make informed changes to your energy consumption based on monitoring data.
Additionally, this outlet is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling you to conveniently operate it through your smartphone’s assistant app. The device will notify you about running appliances and their electricity consumption, empowering you to turn them off and reduce your electricity bills.
Smart Meter
The smart meter is an excellent monitoring device for homes in the UK if you want to measure the overall energy consumption of your house. It replaces the traditional meter and records your energy usage throughout the day. The recorded data is then sent to the energy supplier, allowing them to provide you with accurate energy bills instead of estimated ones. The smart energy meters offer a convenient way to track your energy usage and ensure accurate billing.
Sense Energy Monitor
The Sense Energy Monitor is considered one of the best smart energy monitors for home due to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. It provides real-time recording of energy usage, allowing you to track consumption on a monthly, weekly, and even daily basis. With this information, you can identify areas where adjustments can be made to optimize energy consumption.
The advanced technology of the Sense Energy Monitor learns the usage patterns of your home appliances over time, enabling you to understand their energy usage based on their on/off cycles. The accompanying Sense Energy Monitoring app keeps you informed about any appliances that may still be running in your home. While the device may have a higher cost, its capabilities and features provide an added peace of mind.
Summary
Smart energy monitor devices are the ideal solution for accurately tracking the electricity consumption of your home. As each individual’s energy needs are unique, the choice of smart energy monitors for homes varies accordingly. With numerous options available in the market, you can find the perfect fit for your requirements. Whether you prefer a comprehensive whole-home energy monitoring system or a device focused on specific appliance monitoring, there is a smart energy monitor to suit your needs. This article covers everything you need to know about smart energy monitors for home.
