Home Energy Monitoring and Management

Do you want to understand and take control of your home energy use? Home energy monitoring systems can show you how your household uses power and help you spot waste, save money and use energy more efficiently. Monitoring systems can reduce home energy bills while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

What Is Home Energy Monitoring?

Home energy monitoring is the process of tracking and analyzing your home's electricity or gas usage. Monitoring provides real-time insights into your energy consumption, helping you understand where and how energy is being consumed.

How Do Home Energy Monitoring Systems Work?

A home energy management system (HEMS) will constantly monitor your energy use in real time, revealing the exact amount of electricity you're using at any moment. An HEMS will also analyze your usage patterns over time so you can see how your daily habits affect consumption. Some systems can manage your usage automatically. For example, your HEMS might turn your dishwasher on when electricity rates are lowest, switch your lights off when you leave your home or adjust your thermostat based on the time of day.

Energy usage tracking is primarily done in two ways:

Whole-home monitoring: Whole-house energy monitors can be placed near your electrical panel, tracking energy usage as it flows throughout your home. Typically, these sensors can analyze energy data and send insights to a connected smartphone app. Tracking your home's total use allows you to determine whether your changes effectively reduce your usage and bills.
Individual appliance monitoring: An individual appliance energy monitor, also called an outlet monitor, can help you determine the energy usage of different appliances in your home. This allows homeowners to make informed choices about how they use energy in their homes. A faulty appliance may be drawing energy and increasing your energy bill, and individual appliance monitoring can save you costs by alerting you to which devices are using excessive power.

Top Benefits of Home Energy Monitoring

Energy monitoring is essential if you want to keep on top of your energy usage. Reviewing your home's power consumption helps you make informed decisions about when and how to use your appliances. This data also empowers you to make changes that reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some benefits of home energy monitoring:

Access real-time feedback and data: Your energy monitoring system will provide real-time data on energy usage, allowing you to see exactly how much energy you consume and when your peak consumption happens.
Identify and minimize energy waste: Making effective adjustments is challenging if you don't understand your home's energy usage. Identifying where your home wastes energy is the first step toward reducing that waste.
Reduce utility bills: Monitoring your home's energy use will help you identify areas where you're consuming the most energy and make adjustments to reduce your overall consumption, leading to lower monthly bills.
Increase efficiency: Understanding your energy patterns allows you to make informed decisions about reducing waste and maximizing your home energy efficiency in the future.
Lower your carbon footprint: Reducing your home's energy consumption reduces your carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Explore Some of the Best Home Energy Monitors

Whether you're interested in whole-house energy monitoring or appliance-level monitoring, innovative providers offer a range of solutions to fit your needs. Here are examples of three top smart energy monitors for your home:

Sense: These monitors can be installed in your electrical panel and track whole-home energy use. Sense uses machine learning and advanced analytics to identify and monitor individual appliances over time. Users will receive smart alerts about unusual activity, such as appliances left on or energy spikes.
Emporia: These systems can also be installed into your electrical panel to track your overall energy usage. Emporia offers plug-level monitoring and can track up to 16 individual circuits. The Emporia Energy App allows you to set up automations and manage Emporia devices, among other useful functions.
Wiser: Wiser provides whole-home monitoring and integrates with smart plugs and connected devices for appliance-level insights. These monitors provide up-to-date data, notifications and remote monitoring through a user-friendly app.

How to Use Your Energy Data to Save

Real-time energy monitoring is one of the most effective ways to save energy at home, but only if you use your data. Here are some energy-efficient home tips to help you put your data into action.

Manage Energy Hogs and Energy Vampires

High-consumption appliances that use a significant amount of energy during operation are called energy hogs. Appliances that use energy even when switched off or not actively in use are called energy vampires. Once you have identified these appliances, you can replace or manage them to minimize waste.

Energy hogs are upfront about their consumption, and the best way to deal with them is either to replace the appliance or limit or schedule its use. For example, electric water heaters, old refrigerators and space heaters are common energy hogs that can quickly drive up your utility bills.

Energy vampires, such as cellphone and laptop chargers, TVs on standby and ovens with digital clocks, quietly siphon power. You can reduce the impact of these silent power leechers by unplugging devices when not in use, using power strips to switch off multiple devices or looking for appliances with energy-saving features.

Upgrade Inefficient Appliances

Once your HEMS identifies high-consumption appliances, consider upgrading them to high-efficiency models. Upgrading can lead to long-term savings and better performance.

Start Using Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are small devices that plug into your regular wall outlet and can be managed remotely via your smartphone. You can set timers or routines so devices plugged into smart plugs only run when needed.

Schedule Usage

One way to use your data to save is to set up your energy monitor's app or smart home system to run your high-consumption appliances during off-peak hours, when electricity is cheaper. If you have solar panels, you can schedule laundry, dishwashing and other tasks to take place when your home generates solar power.

Integrating Renewable Energy and Smart Home Solutions

Your HEMS can analyze your home energy consumption and connect to renewable energy. If you want to switch to renewable energy, you can experience the many benefits of solar power, wind-powered energy and other sustainable sources while using an HEMS to make adjustments for improved efficiency.

Benefits of Increasing Sustainability in Your Home

Pairing smart energy monitors with renewable power is a growing trend among energy-smart homeowners. The many benefits of sustainable energy include:

Positive environmental impact: Renewable energy helps homeowners like you cut fossil fuel use, produce little to no carbon emissions and fight climate change.
Long-term savings: While solar panels and other green tech can cost more upfront, sustainable systems quickly pay for themselves and lower your monthly bills.
Reliable access: Renewable energy offers steady, dependable power, giving you peace of mind and energy security.

New York is a leader in energy efficiency, consuming less total energy per person than almost any other state. If you want reduced utility bills and a greener future, you'll need to partner with an energy retailer who offers renewable options.

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Partner With Northeastern Power for Reliable Energy

Home energy monitoring and management puts you in control of your household's energy use, helping you save money, reduce waste, and make smarter choices for a sustainable future. By tracking your energy data, upgrading inefficient appliances and integrating renewable solutions, you can enjoy a more energy-efficient, eco-friendly home.

Northeastern Power provides electric, gas and sustainable energy options to New York and surrounding regions. Partnering with a reliable, sustainable energy retailer is key to receiving an uninterrupted flow of power to your home.

If you're interested in our energy options, explore them from our home page using your ZIP code and sign up online. You can also contact us with questions or for more information. We offer rates you'll love and dependable service.

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