Frequently Asked Questions
How would a home energy monitor help me reduce my energy use?
Your energy monitor should show you how much energy you’re using, how much it costs, and the level of your greenhouse gas emissions.
The best energy monitors let you walk round your house switching items on and off, to see how much energy each electrical device or appliance uses.
It can also show you how much your energy is costing you, and how much you’re saving once you start using your energy more efficiently.
Some models allow you to set daily electricity use targets or have alarms to let you know when you’ve reached a certain level of use.
How much money would an energy monitor save me?
The energy monitor itself can’t actually save you money; it’s the way you use it that counts.
It can help you to understand how much energy you’re using, which appliances are costing you most, and how much you could save by switching things off or using them less.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, using an energy monitor could reduce your energy use by 5% - 15% in just a year. So if your annual electricity bill is £600, you could save between £30 and £90.
Can I install an energy monitor myself?
Yes – you don’t need to be a qualified electrician. For most models, you’ll just need to attach the sensor unit to your meter and then tune the transmitter and hand-held unit so they can communicate with each other.
How do I know which energy monitor is best for me?
There are all kinds of energy monitors available, from very basic cheap plug-in ones to highly sophisticated expensive versions, so it makes sense to have a look at as many as possible before you buy one.
The best energy monitors will include:
- A display showing how much energy you’re currently using
- A portable battery-powered unit that you can move around your home
- Wireless connection to the unit attached to your electricity meter
- A facility that lets you check on historical data, including your daily, weekly and monthly figures
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