Until now, if you wanted to use Google PowerMeter to track your energy usage, you had to hope your electric utility had or was willing to install a smart meter for you. Today, Google announced the availability of a device that puts your energy usage data into your own hands.
The TED 5000 from Energy Inc. is a real-time electricity usage monitor that you can purchase and install yourself, with packages starting around $200. It can run the free Google PowerMeter tool, allowing you to check on your personal home energy data from any device that can access the web.
The TED 5000 is Google’s first official device partner for PowerMeter, but the company indicates they plan to work with more providers who make energy monitors to get PowerMeter support built-in. And if you already own a TED 5000, you can perform a firmware upgrade that will allow you to run Google PowerMeter on your existing device as well.
Do you use Google PowerMeter or other tools to better monitor the energy usage in your home? Have you made any interesting discoveries about unexpected sources of electricity usage? Are there other software tools your fellow energy-conscious individuals might want to check out?
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