The principle idea behind electricity monitors is to highlight your electricity usage. With this knowledge (often these devices can show either cost or KWh) should come the encouragement to turn off unnecessary energy eaters, thus reducing your carbon footprint, improving your home's energy efficiency rating and ultimately saving you money.
OWL Micro Wireless Electricity Monitor
This monitor is relatively easy to set up and get zooming around the house with - it simply clips around the cable near your electric meter. It supports single tariff so once you know how much your supplier charges per unit, it's easy to see at a glance which appliances guzzle energy - turning each one on and off and watching the levels fluctuate is compulsive viewing! It warns you when the batteries are low and small enough to put out of sight when not in use. Which? have also endorsed this product with Best Buy status.
Buy now from John Lewis
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Efergy Elite energy saving wireless smart meter
The idea behind the Efergy meter is one of an educator - it says that you can reduce your bills by up to 25% by learning which appliances use the most energy and how to use them efficiently. It allows you to check from single locations if appliances have been left on - excellent if you're in a hurry, off on holiday or are just a little scatty at times! Simply clip the sensor to the electricity cable near the fuse box and it't up and running in no time, translating usage into a reading of cost per hour. It can also measure your greenhouse gas emissions.
Buy now from Amazon.
Wattson
This is one very stylish wireless electricity monitor! Installing it is a piece of cake - simply clip the transceiver to the wire between the fuse box and the meter. Watching the levels go up and down as light switches get flicked puts usage into perspective. What's exciting about this particular meter is the option to connect it to your PC, go online and see how your efforts are having a real impact. The only thing we weren't so keen on was the price - it's available to buy for approximately £100.
Buy now from Firebox.
