It has become common to adopt smart power meters among many household appliances. While these devices promise real-time insights into your power consumption, there is a certain intrigue surrounding their widespread use. At times, safety concerns have cast a shadow over their implementation. So, you must choose a reliable smart power meter.
It can be hard to find the right smart power meter, especially when you have budget restrictions. That is why we have crafted this guideline. Along with introducing the best smart power meters, we will highlight everything you need to know about these devices.
- What is a Smart Power Meter?
- How to Read a Power Meter
- 5 Best Power Meters of 2023
- Convenience of Using Plug In Power Meter Within The Outlet
- EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug and Relay
What is a Smart Power Meter?
A smart power meter is much like a power meter outlet or house power meter, except it is a modern version. Unlike the old-style meters, it can enable two-way communication between the meter and the central electrical system. So, your utility provider can easily and remotely read the meter without having to send someone to your home.
Similar to a plug in power meter or an electric power meter, a smart power meter is a device that measures the amount of electricity your home consumes. The term "smart" comes from its ability to connect to the central electrical system through a network. This technology represents more efficient and automated ways of managing electricity consumption.
How to Read a Power Meter
To read a smart power meter, you don't need to physically check the meter itself. This is a major improvement over traditional meters. You can get information from the utility provider on how to access and understand your electricity usage data through their online portal or mobile app. So, you will have a more convenient way to monitor and manage electricity usage.
Here is what you need to do to read a power meter:
- First and foremost, you have to look for the power meter in your home. You may find it on an exterior wall or in a utility box. For apartments, it might be in a shared area.
- Determine if your power meter has an analog or digital display. An analog meter has a rotating disc, while a digital meter shows numbers.
- If you have an analog meter, read the numbers on the spinning disc. The numbers represent your electricity usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Take note of both the numbers before and after the decimal point.
- For a digital meter, read the numbers displayed. The screen shows a series of digits followed by "kWh" to indicate kilowatt-hours. Record the complete number for accurate readings.
- Pay attention to the decimal point on both analog and digital meters. The numbers before the decimal point indicate whole kilowatt-hours, while those after represent fractions or partial kilowatt-hours.
- If you want to track your usage, record the readings at a specific time. Note the date and time of day, as electricity usage can vary throughout the day.
- If you have a smart power meter, you may not need to physically read the meter. Instead, check with your utility provider. They will provide online access or a mobile app to view real-time and historical usage data.
- Some homes may have power meter outlets or plug in power meters. Often, these devices have a display showing real-time electricity consumption. To understand your current usage, read the numbers or values displayed.
5 Best Power Meters of 2023
Want to monitor and manage your energy consumption effectively? There is no better alternative to a reliable power meter. Although there are plenty of smart power meters on the market, only a handful are worth the bucks.
If you are struggling to find a reliable smart power meter, check out the following 5 options.
1. Emporia – Vue
This meter goes beyond typical stand-alone meters. It provides a detailed power usage history graph in its app. It can export data to a spreadsheet, which adds to its versatility. It can be installed inside your breaker box. Hence, you can monitor built-in appliances, even those using 240-volt connections. Additionally, it accommodates solar power installations, allowing you to compare consumption and generation.
2. BNC-60
This smart power meter stands out for its slim form factor and budget-friendly price. During testing, it demonstrated comparable performance to other smart plugs at a significantly lower cost. Overall, it is an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without compromising quality.
3. Poniie – PN2000
This meter may boast premium functionalities, but comes at a slightly higher price point. Moreover, it also compensates with an extended range of features. Keep in mind that the screen might not be as easy to read. So, you can keep it as a secondary option. As for accuracy, this smart meter is more than good.
4. Sense – Energy
It is renowned for its innovative design. It uses a pair of sensors to monitor all circuits through the main supply circuit. Also, it employs advanced algorithms to identify appliances based on their power usage characteristics. Although it may have room for improvement in detecting small appliances, its innovative design sets it apart.
5. Fayleeko
This smart power motor emphasizes user-friendliness. Its generic design is offset by a large backlit screen. This electric monitor offers essential power measurements. Moreover, the Fayleeko provides cost calculations. So, you can track not just your energy usage in dollars but also your environmental impact in terms of CO2 produced.
Convenience of Using Plug In Power Meter Within The Outlet
Integrating a plug in power meter into your outlet can better monitor your electricity consumption. Often, this innovative device is referred to as a plug in power meter.
A plug in power meter offers unmatched convenience for homeowners. Here is why:
- Instant Insights: Simply plug this device into your electrical outlet, and you are ready to go. So, you can easily get immediate insights into the energy usage of the connected devices. You won't need any complex installations or adjustments to your house power meter.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Obviously, the best power meter will offer real-time monitoring capabilities. So, you can see how much electricity your devices are consuming at any given moment. As a result, you can make on-the-spot decisions to reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills.
- Cost Tracking: With a plug in power meter, it won't be hard to understand the cost of your electricity consumption. Many of these devices allow you to input your electricity rate. This is how they can calculate and display the cost of running specific appliances.
- No Smart Power Meter Required: When you only install a smart power meter, you may go through more complex installations and interactions with utility providers. As for plug in power meters, they operate independently. You can monitor energy consumption without the need for extensive infrastructure changes or waiting for utility companies.
- User-Friendly Interface: Most often, plug in power meters come equipped with user-friendly interfaces. So, anyone can easily operate them, regardless of technical expertise. For this simplicity, they can effectively utilize the device without the need for extensive knowledge on how to read power meters.
- Versatility and Portability: The convenience of a plug in power meter extends beyond its ease of use. These devices are often compact and portable. So, you can move them around your home and test different outlets or devices. This versatility enhances their utility since you can monitor various areas of your household.
EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug and Relay
Don’t have a smart power meter? Don’t worry. Meet the EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug and Relay – a revolutionary device that can optimize your home's energy efficiency. Think of it as a versatile alternative to traditional power meters. It delivers plenty of features that make it a standout choice for energy-conscious users.
● Monitor Energy Smartly:
The EVVR Smart Plug automatically keeps smart appliances from overheating. Thereby, it surpasses traditional power meters. It lets you identify devices that are heating up and demanding excessive amounts of electricity.
● Save and Track Energy:
Track your plug-in gadgets' hourly energy consumption with an impressive 99% accuracy. With the EVVR app, you can predict power usage. The Magnetic Retention Relay sets this device apart by consuming 90% less energy than its counterparts.
● Plug and Play:
Configuring this smart plug is a snap, even for users without electrical expertise. The setup procedure is made much simpler by the QR code. It makes installation convenient for every user. Additionally, there will be more choices for DIY enthusiasts to configure this smart plug.
● Control Remotely and Set Automation:
Utilize the EVVR app, HomeKit, or the integrated button to have a flexible approach to controlling smart home products. You can turn connected appliances on or off from anywhere using a remote. For added convenience, you can create automation scenes or use wireless Siri voice commands with the HomeKit hub.
● Space Saving:
The EVVR smart plug can be distinguished by its compact design and 90-degree angle extension cord. It can save space by eliminating devices that require several inches from the wall for setup. So, for people who want to optimize their living space, this may be a great option.
● Designed for Safety:
The EVVR's tamper-proof shell design puts safety first. With a current capacity of 16 amps, it's compatible with high-power appliances. It can lower the chance of electrical fires, which will secure your smart home. Furthermore, this smart plug features a button lock feature.
Conclusion
The best smart power meters are revolutionizing home energy monitoring. Although safety and privacy concerns persist, their real-time insights offer undeniable benefits. These gadgets can become reliable companions in our quest for safe and effective energy management. We just need to find the right balance for that. In that case, the EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug and Relay will come in handy.
So, if you want to make your smart power meter versatile, you should connect it to the EVVR Smart Plug. If you are interested and want more details, kindly reach out to us. We can always help.
