Thread: Google Powermeter give real time electricity usage information in your home

Saving energy is a huge topic right now, but how do you know if you're saving? Each month you get a bill with the number of killowatts you used and a total cost. You don't know how much electricity you used while you were sleeping, at work, at home, etc. You don't know how much more energy you used when you turned on your A/C, ran your dishwasher, or turned on the clothes dryer.



With Google PowerMeter, all of this is possible.

Here's how it works:

Google has partnered with a very small group of power companies. Click here for a list. If you are one of the lucky few people who use one of these power companies, you should be able to sign up and get near-real time information for free.

For most of us though, additional equipment has to be purchased. Recently, Google partnered with a company that makes a device called the T.E.D. (The Energy Detective). The device starts at $199.95 and goes up depending on whether you want the optional display and depending on how many circuit breaker boxes you have. Installation looks fairly simple although some electrical wiring is necessary. Hook one device in at your circuit breaker box and plug another device into your router. Setup your Google PowerMeter account and you're up and running.

By gaining the additional visibility into your power usage, you can see how much it costs you to run the 1/2 empty load of dishes. Or your cost per day (or per hour) when your A/C runs for hours and hours even when you're not home. Use this tool to learn what really drives up your power bill and then you can easily change your habits and save some money.

See the video from Google below: