Anyone else use an OWL Energy Meter?

[Thatch]

Bought one last week. Easy to install and quite interesting results:
- My TV's dont use as much energy on standby as they do when on - nice!
- Standard light bulbs use so much more energy than eco ones - but at least you can see what you are doing when using them!
- my outside security light appears to use no energy at all! - thinking of wiring my cooker into the light socket!!!!

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Thatch said:

My TV's dont use as much energy on standby as they do when on - nice!

...

- my outside security light appears to use no energy at all! - thinking of wiring my cooker into the light socket!!!!

Something is obviously wrong. Ours more or less gets it right and TV standby is immeasurably small whilst on about 100 - 150W (depending on how bright it is in the room, and so how bright it wants the backlight to be).

[Bee_Jay]

I have used OWLs in the past, along with Wattson.

If anyone is looking, the CurrentCost is the best one out there, and for the hackers amongst you it can be hooked up to a computer and data stored and analysed (There is code available for free on google for this) and they will soon be adding individual appliance devices.

I am on a trial with www.greenenergyoptions.co.uk - my house is on the web, PM me for the link if you want a look at detailed energy usage for it, don't want it overloaded with requests... Very cool in that I can view detailed appliance usage, and even turn things off over the web. If you live in the south of England I may be able to get you on the trial too.

I have found out many things over the years using these, the first being that in an old house my Electrisave meter (predecessor to the OWL) showed me that my immersion heater timer was screwed leaving it on all the time - saved me £35 in the first month that one!!!

Now my kids are well trained as to the 'idle' cost of my house (3.8p/hour if you're wondering, 5.2p/h if the fridge/freezer is cycling) and know that if it is above that without good reason I wanna know. Also good to check when leaving the house to see if you have left anything off.

Other things I have found:

PS3 drinks electricity when on.
LCD TVs on standby are negligible, and when on are WAY better than plasmas.
Dishwasher costs 16p/cycle, washing machine 7p - looking for way to wash dishes in washing machine.
Buying a house full of bloody 50W spots in the ceiling (over 22 downstairs alone) is bloody annoying since there is no decent dimmable low power alternative available yet (The LEDs are all the wrong colour temperature)
Electric Pool heaters for 'small' pools at 3kW are EVIL.
Tumble Dryers are EVIL.
Hairdryers are EVIL.
and many more.

Yes, my kids call me the 'electricity nazi'.

Edited by Bee_Jay on Monday 24th August 17:05

[Mrs BlueCerbera]

We've got an Electrisave meter, have had it for a couple of years now. I find it fascinating, does that make me a geek. I can always tell when my husband has left the light on in the garage as it says 5.2p/hour rather than 3.6. Not sure whether its saved us much if anything but I do love looking at it !

[Howitzer]

They are absolutely fantastic, you become much more aware of the cost of things and it must save you some money.

It's like having your average mileage on the car, a constant reminder to save cash.

Dave!

[russ_a]

Add Electric Showers, Microwaves, Irons, Cookers and Vacum Cleaners to the evil list!

[john_p]

I'm amazed how cheap these are. I work in the industry but on the commercial side, and the radio-based kit is a lot more expensive. You'll definitely save money with one of these, it's easy to see appliances and how much they really cost you to use.

How accurate are they (compared to actual bills?)

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

john_p said:

I'm amazed how cheap these are. I work in the industry but on the commercial side, and the radio-based kit is a lot more expensive. You'll definitely save money with one of these, it's easy to see appliances and how much they really cost you to use.

How accurate are they (compared to actual bills?)

Owl doesn't add up costs so hard to say. From the readings I'd as it's probably within 10-20% of the true power usage so not too bad.

[Thatch]

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

john_p said:

How accurate are they (compared to actual bills?)

Owl doesn't add up costs so hard to say. From the readings I'd as it's probably within 10-20% of the true power usage so not too bad.

Was discussing this offline with Bee Jay.
The OWL comes with a base rate of 10.5 pence per KW and allows you to set different rates for different times in the day (Economy 7 etc.), however my deal is first 200KWs are @ 17.8 pence, and thereafter 9.025 pence.
Looking at last years bills I reckon I pay 12.5 pence per KW, so we’ll see how accurate they are in a couple of month’s time.

P.S. My OWL will cumulate the cost by Week, Month etc, so will reset when i get next bill.

[Thatch]

Bee_Jay said:

Electric Pool heaters for 'small' pools at 3kW are EVIL.

...and chuffing useless to boot!!!