Track Your Home’s Energy Use in Real Time
Reduce energy use. Save money. Live comfortably. Many of us share these goals—but how do we get there?
Utility bills are often the only source of information. A bill arrives in the mail along with relief—or shock—at how much energy has been used and how much it will cost.
But what if you could track your home’s energy use as it happens? What if you could see, for example, how turning off an appliance instantly reduces electricity consumption? What if you could follow trends in your home’s comfort—too warm or cool, too humid or dry—and get energy-saving advice based on this real-time information?
That’s the aim of an upcoming Energize Bridgewater program called EMIS.
Photos in this blog post were provided by the Nova Scotia Community College.
How will it work for residents?
The program is voluntary, and initially available to homeowners who have participated in Energize Bridgewater’s Home Upgrade program. It works by installing sensors in the home. These sensors record electricity use as well as indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and C02 levels.
Residents will see this information online or can request paper copies. Easy-to-read figures will show electricity use, peak usage times, and associated costs. This information can be compared to outdoor temperature and indoor comfort levels. By understanding energy use patterns, homeowners can make informed decisions. For example, energy-intensive tasks such as running the clothes dryer can be scheduled for off-peak hours or residents may decide to seek out energy-efficient upgrades such as insulation or newer appliances. By optimizing energy use, residents can effectively reduce their energy bills.
But the power of EMIS extends beyond the home. Energize Bridgewater is working with data and privacy experts to monitor energy use from all buildings in the EMIS program. This first-of-its-kind project will look at the Town of Bridgewater as a connected system with diverse buildings and diverse needs of residents. The data will guide additional energy-efficiency programs as well as other forms of housing and social assistance.
By providing local information and local solutions, EMIS will help to steer Bridgewater toward environmental sustainability, individual home comfort and affordability, and overall community wellbeing.