My part time home has electricity costing as much as $.43/Kwh. In Feb 2011, my electric bill was >$1100. Only with the help of other members of the MCV forum, did I manage to create a scene using a luup program to control my AC to minimize unnecessary AC usage. This script shuts off my AC if any of my sensored doors or windows is open for more than 60 sec or if my motion detectors doesn’t detect motion for > 20 min between 9 AM and 5 PM. I also set the minimum setting on both of my AC thermostats to 74F. AND I installed a solar thermal panel for domestic hot water. AND I put my hot water recirculation pump on a appliance module and only operate it for a total of 90 min/day. AND I only power my electric hot water tank for about 10 hours per day.
Despite these measures, in July 2013, my electric bill went from an average of $450-600/mo to $1,000. Then in Oct 2013, my electric bill was $1,240!!! (I could find no evidence of tampering with vera so I don’t think it was due to AC overuse. My best guess is that the excess consumption was from a faulty door seal on my refrigerator freezer or a faulty refrig/freezer mother board, both of which have since been replaced. My major appliances are an electric oven, microwave, stove top, 49" LED HDTV and four 32" TVs. I also have 5 ceiling fans and ceiling lights that are often left on by guests. I am back in the $450-600/mo usage range, which I feel is still too much.)
After a long fight with my developer run HOA, I will install a 600 Kw PV system in a few weeks (long story). I still want to find the causes of excess consumption and eliminate or minimize them.
I have followed this topic from a distance but was reluctant to put the wrap around clamps on my lines in my circuit box. Now I have an electrician who I can trust and can hire to do this. I am now keenly interested in selecting a power management/monitoring system and software to monitor and track usage. I have scanned this Power Management forum and have a very basic understanding of the concepts. I am looking for recommendations for the best hardware that will allow me remote monitoring and data collection and review. This project is probably beyond my capabilities so I am also looking for a consultant to help me install and implement such a system.
Recommendations on the best components (hardware, software, data storage, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in being my consultant send me a brief note on your experience in this area, your background and fees.
From my reading of this sub forum, I am leaning toward the Brultech GEM and the Ergy plugin. I like the ability to monitor and track energy use by appliances (or at least circuits) and whole house consumption, and my PV solar energy production. Ideally, I would like to add my solar thermal energy production. I have a Heliodyne Delta T Pro controller (connected wirelessly to the internet) for my solar thermal system with 5 temp probes and a pump to solar panel and 2 flow probes (flow into HW system and flow to solar panel). Integrating the solar thermal inputs are way too complicated for me and not a priority now.
The Ergy site indicates that upgrades are not available until after MCV finishes their latest upgrade. How long is this likely to last??
Thanks for any assistance that anyone can provide!