Get an Energy Detective Monitor

If you can measure it, you can manage it. Then get an energy audit.

By Brian Clark Howard

Save money on rising energy bills, while slashing your carbon footprint at the same time, with an energy monitoring device. A good example is The Energy Detective (TED), which starts at $139.

The Energy Detective is a small display that indicates household electrical usage in real time and projects your monthly bill — all without using batteries. Research has found that real-time energy feedback leads consumers to reduce their electricity consumption. According to the company you'll save 15-20% on each bill, which would amount to hundreds of dollars a year.

It's really quite simple: If you can measure it, you can manage it. You can make small adjustments through the day and see how the savings add up. For example, you may decide you don't really need to run that space heater, or be reminded to turn off lights and appliances. You can even interface the TED with your computer, so you can do advanced logging and analysis of your home's energy data.

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