PowerCost Monitor TM
by Blue Line Innovations
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Our Price: $119.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $49.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of PowerCost Monitor TM
Customer Review: Clever, safe idea.
Summary: 4 Stars
This meter provides a way to read what your electric meter is reading, day by day or hour by hour. It provides for detailed entry of the intricacies of your billing scheme, including different rates for different times and over-amounts used. You can turn on your electric stove, air conditioning, any large consumption electrical appliance and see not only how much current it's drawing, but how much it's costing you to run per hour according to your billing rates.
Only 2 shortcomings: It takes 30 to 90 seconds to register a change in consumption, so by the time you're checking consumption of central air, a refrigerator may have cycled on to distort the readings. And secondly, the consumption wattage is in chunks of 100 watts, so you can't note minor change in usage.
But otherwise, the PowerCost is an intriguing instrument for a fair price.
--Mike
Customer Review: Don't buy
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased unit on 12/28/09. Returned it on 1/4/10. Small micro switch on circuit board in battery compartment failed as well as imbedded nut in sensor case that accepts battery compartment screw (nut came out). Replacement unit not installed right away. Installed late Jan. early Feb. Functioned OK for about 1 1/2 mos. Verified difference in utility meter reading for one month vs. monitor. Pretty close. Had a heavy rain. Battery compartment filled with water. Verified battery compartment lid on tight. It was. Removed batts. Let sensor dry out in sunny weather. Installed batts. and re-set sensor and display. Display now malfunctions. No temp reading (sensor failure?) no any readings. Very disappointed. Will have repaired at B&D facility under warranty. however would not buy again. Would rather pay more for a reliable unit from another manfr.Customer Review: great idea, but so-so product
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought the monitor to learn more about my electricity usage. It's easy to install but two major flaws led me to return it.
First, the data it delivers is too inaccurate to measure power. The display only shows 1/10th of a kW (i.e., 100W) but the underlying accuracy seems even worse (maybe 200-300W). Also, the measurements are not real-time--it may take a minute or more for the display to update after a change in use.
Second, the display unit needs to be in close proximity to the meter to work. I often had no reception inside the house unless the unit was within a few yards of the meter (which is outside the house).
The monitor also has no memory, so it's not possible to see your usage over the day. It would be nice to be able to read this out via a USB port.
Customer Review: Beware! Check with your utility company before purchasing
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this unit with high hopes of getting a handle on my electricity usage. I called my electric company (Southern California Edison) to ask a few questions about how to interpret my electric bill. I was shocked when they told me that this unit was illegal and that if I installed it, they would remove it and throw it away (off premises) at the next reading. They consider this tampering. The manufacturer was very helpful and even called SCE for me. Unfortunatly, they were only able to verify that I could not lawfully use the product. So check first! I ended up getting a different product called: T.E.D, The Energy Detective. It monitors instantly since you clamp it directly onto your electrical cables. It did require a visit from my electrician to hook up though ($$).Customer Review: Big cost savings & lots of informaiton
Summary: 5 Stars
This cost savings meter is an excellent way to learn about your energy consumption in an easy to read format with easy installation. The instructions provided are clear, the software it comes with is helpful. The main thing we enjoyed was the digital display which is easy to read and gives a great deal of information....from current energy consumption, cost of energy, weekly & monthly comparisons to the current temperature.
I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to save money on power and learn what household items are consuming the most or least energy. This power meter will show you in REAL dollars and REAL kilowatts how your conservation decisions are effecting ACTUAL energy useage and your bottom line.