How to Install a Home Electric Power Meter - ENVI II (1 of 2)

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Comment by Chris Hunt on April 23, 2012 at 1:18pm

Hi Tom,

I do have experience with the old and new Envi plus TED1000s, TED5000's, eMonitors, Owl, eGuage and even the old wrap-around Black & Decker and BlueLine monitors.  I find the Envi convenient for some audits (a 4 hour monitoring period) but less so for permanent placement.  The nice thing about the Envi is that they do use batteries so you don't have to connect a lead to a circuit for transmitter power (both TEDs do) and you don't have to worry about line noise either (big problems for TED5000s).  They also handle 3-phase. The downside to the Envi is that I find them less than accurate since they don't measure power factor correctly (the newer Envi has a setting that lets you state the PF is either 115 or 120V but current is rarely that consistent I find and the Envi compared to another monitor can be off by 10-20%.  If we're talking about 1.1 kw vs 1.0 or .900 kw, not a big deal but it can add up.

The second drawback is that Envi web access I find to be a kluge.  For me web access and storage of the cumulative data is everything, not just the current cost and usage.  You can do it with the Envi but it's not as clean as other solutions (TED5000 or eMonitor or eGauge).

I've got  more info on your other questions if you want to talk about it.  Right now I have 4 monitors hooked to my service panel and it looks like spaghetti in there....

Chris Hunt

www.powerdownus.com

Comment by Tom Conlon on April 20, 2012 at 10:43am

Does anyone else have personal experience with the CurrentCost ENVI or any other brands of inexpensive in-home power displays? I am curious to hear how contractors, raters, inspectors, and program implementers may be using these devices to help address occupant behavior. Any opinions about the pros and cons of different products, installation issues, accuracy claims, liability and/or legality concerns, etc.?

Thanks,