Does it make SENSE, to monitor your homes energy. - Page 2

Elcam84 · 07-20-20, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiHaoMike

You use the contactor (a very heavy duty relay) to switch the water heater, then you use a smart plug to switch the contactor. Not having an outlet nearby makes things slightly more complex, really just needs an extra fuse to tap off a little power for the smart plug. It would probably be easier to use a "Sonoff Basic" which is designed for hardwired applications. Now you have a networked switch for the water heater with decent software.

Or just get a 220v contactor that has 220v primary coils and a 220v sonoff. Then no need for another outlet. Just use the hotside of the waterheater feed.

What I find curious is why couldn't you put the inducters on the wires inside your panel. I have never seen an instance where that would be an issue unless it is a tiny little 60 amp panel.
Units like this used to be very common in the restaurant industry. Every old Wendys still has the leads inside the main distribution panel. They abandoned using the systems as they didn't save any $ and just generated an ongoing cost to operate.
One of the dumb parts of the energy code even requires lights near windows to be on a separate switch so they can be turned off during the day... Yeah like any business is going to turn off those lights when it's bright enough. If they do then there will be a lawsuit from someone stubbing their toe on a chair and they will win because the restaurant turned off their lights and did not provide adequate lighting.

Having usage data is great but we already know what to do. Datalogging just just confirms what your changes have made.

As for the temp at 82*... I'd go nuts cause I would never get any sleep.

Wanna Beco · 07-18-20, 10:52 PM

Hey gang,

I want to just show you a bit of the app that you use with your sense. I repeat myself a couple of times and it is a bit clunky, but it shows a lot of the features. I would like to upload a sample of the csv file. I use google docs because it is pretty simple, but not sure how to get it on this site. I sent a PM to Doax and I will do it when he gets back to me. Check out my vid though.

https://youtu.be/U_qghZjB0j0

Wanna Beco · 07-21-20, 02:00 AM

Right... 82.. I could never sleep. But that is for the hours of 3pm to 8pm. I take it to 78 at bed time.

Yep some do not like data logging and consider it a big time suck. I however love it. You can't change what you can't measure. It also allows me to balance comfort and cost. I can perform tests like I did in the above post. So yeh... If you don't want to measure stuff, then don't. The sense is not for everyone. The Roi may be a while, but I am happy so far.

Wanna Beco · 08-11-20, 05:24 PM

Sooooo... this month has been a true test of other mods I have been doing. Air sealing and using timers ETC. The results have been great. The Sense app lets me know when my kid leaves the bathroom light on even. My fellow inmates (my family) are starting to think of me as the electricity Nazi and my son is turning the table on me, reminding ME when I leave something on.

I finally was able to view my Aug. bill.Big savings. Saved $109 and had 4 more days on this months billing cycle and the temps were higher this year than the previous year. Pretty happy with the app so far.

Wanna Beco · 09-27-20, 07:06 PM

This months bill was $115 buck less. In case you are still following along

Daox · 09-27-20, 08:20 PM

Very impressive! What have you done recently to continue improving things?

Wanna Beco · 09-27-20, 09:52 PM

Good Question Doax. But to be honest, not a lot. I have been crippled by the heat this year. It has been mostly above 110 this summer. It just takes the fight right out of me.

Before summer I had replaced some fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs. I replaced the receptacle with that kit from Costco. With each one replaced I airsealed them up as I replaced them. I replaced My rear door as it had a bad leak and no matter what i did, I could not get it to close easily and correctly any longer. ( the door had water damage at the bottom that I had fixed many times). I fixed a large window next to the door that also leaked. Sealed vents in rooms where I could get to them easily.

When the fall is finally here I have some big plans. I am going to fix all insulation in my attic. I got a quote of 2500 to that... and it looks like doing it myself I can save about 2k of that. I will also cover my garage with spray insulation as I plan on installing a mini split in the garage so I can make it useable in the summer.

The clink in my plans though is I am recently laid off, but I have enough savings to at least get the work in the attic done. Hopefully find an inexpensive mini split for the garage.

Daox · 09-29-20, 08:33 AM

Sounds like all good stuff. Look forward to any updates! I was just talking with my wife about re-evaluating our power usage. We have mostly CFLs in the house with LEDs in higher use areas. I don't think we have any incandescent bulbs left, but its been quite some time since I even looked.

Wanna Beco · 12-02-20, 01:13 PM

Now sure how many are interested in this thread but the Sense is on sale. I recommend if you want an easy way to monitor your electricity usage. As with any tool, it is only as good as your usage.

I paid 250. It is down to 240. Camelcamelcamel says that is the lowest price. Good luck with yours!

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B075K6PH...v_ov_lig_dp_it

One thing I recently discovered is shutting off my coffee maker after the brew is a surprising amount of savings.

Wanna Beco · 12-02-20, 01:34 PM

Can anyone point me to the steps on how to embed a YT video instead of just link it. Anyway, here is the coffee maker info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttCG...ature=youtu.be

07-18-20, 10:52 PM	#2
Wanna Beco Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phoenix Posts: 69 Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts	Hey gang, I want to just show you a bit of the app that you use with your sense. I repeat myself a couple of times and it is a bit clunky, but it shows a lot of the features. I would like to upload a sample of the csv file. I use google docs because it is pretty simple, but not sure how to get it on this site. I sent a PM to Doax and I will do it when he gets back to me. Check out my vid though. https://youtu.be/U_qghZjB0j0 Last edited by Wanna Beco; 07-19-20 at 12:01 AM..

08-11-20, 05:24 PM	#4
Wanna Beco Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phoenix Posts: 69 Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts	Sooooo... this month has been a true test of other mods I have been doing. Air sealing and using timers ETC. The results have been great. The Sense app lets me know when my kid leaves the bathroom light on even. My fellow inmates (my family) are starting to think of me as the electricity Nazi and my son is turning the table on me, reminding ME when I leave something on. I finally was able to view my Aug. bill.Big savings. Saved $109 and had 4 more days on this months billing cycle and the temps were higher this year than the previous year. Pretty happy with the app so far. Attached Thumbnails

09-27-20, 07:06 PM	#5
Wanna Beco Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phoenix Posts: 69 Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts	This months bill was $115 buck less. In case you are still following along Attached Thumbnails

09-27-20, 08:20 PM	#6
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Very impressive! What have you done recently to continue improving things? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-29-20, 08:33 AM	#8
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Sounds like all good stuff. Look forward to any updates! I was just talking with my wife about re-evaluating our power usage. We have mostly CFLs in the house with LEDs in higher use areas. I don't think we have any incandescent bulbs left, but its been quite some time since I even looked. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-21-20, 02:00 AM	#3
Wanna Beco Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phoenix Posts: 69 Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts	Right... 82.. I could never sleep. But that is for the hours of 3pm to 8pm. I take it to 78 at bed time. Yep some do not like data logging and consider it a big time suck. I however love it. You can't change what you can't measure. It also allows me to balance comfort and cost. I can perform tests like I did in the above post. So yeh... If you don't want to measure stuff, then don't. The sense is not for everyone. The Roi may be a while, but I am happy so far.

09-27-20, 09:52 PM	#7
Wanna Beco Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phoenix Posts: 69 Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts	Good Question Doax. But to be honest, not a lot. I have been crippled by the heat this year. It has been mostly above 110 this summer. It just takes the fight right out of me. Before summer I had replaced some fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs. I replaced the receptacle with that kit from Costco. With each one replaced I airsealed them up as I replaced them. I replaced My rear door as it had a bad leak and no matter what i did, I could not get it to close easily and correctly any longer. ( the door had water damage at the bottom that I had fixed many times). I fixed a large window next to the door that also leaked. Sealed vents in rooms where I could get to them easily. When the fall is finally here I have some big plans. I am going to fix all insulation in my attic. I got a quote of 2500 to that... and it looks like doing it myself I can save about 2k of that. I will also cover my garage with spray insulation as I plan on installing a mini split in the garage so I can make it useable in the summer. The clink in my plans though is I am recently laid off, but I have enough savings to at least get the work in the attic done. Hopefully find an inexpensive mini split for the garage.

12-02-20, 01:13 PM	#9
Wanna Beco Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phoenix Posts: 69 Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts	Sense is on Sale! Right now. Now sure how many are interested in this thread but the Sense is on sale. I recommend if you want an easy way to monitor your electricity usage. As with any tool, it is only as good as your usage. I paid 250. It is down to 240. Camelcamelcamel says that is the lowest price. Good luck with yours! https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B075K6PH...v_ov_lig_dp_it One thing I recently discovered is shutting off my coffee maker after the brew is a surprising amount of savings. Last edited by Wanna Beco; 12-02-20 at 01:55 PM..