Google PowerMeter to monitor energy use at home

Not content with dominating the way to send emails, find information and navigate in the real world, Google now wants to manage energy use in each home. In the spirit of saving money and emissions, the reporter of the British newspaper The Guardian Adam Vaughan signed up to see if the PowerMeter really is the future. Over the past two months, the software - which arrived in the UK in November - monitored and transmitted to a web page how much power it consumes the house of the reporter, who has three rooms with terrace and is the beginning of the 20th century.

"There has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. View my use of electricity in an iGoogle page next to my e-mail, news, RSS and other elements sometimes was a chilling reminder of our debauchery, "wrote Adam Vaughan, the blog Green Living, The Guardian.

According to the reporter, home typically spend around 150 watts running a computer, refrigerator and a pair of lights, but during the test PowerMeter was not uncommon for the consumption jumped to more than 3 kWh, with washing machines and dishwashers connected at the same time. In December, the chart PowerMeter accused a high consumption of 370 kWh. Vaughan points out that it is winter in Europe. "Fortunately, December is probably our biggest months of energy use, because it is one of the darkest months, and in which we are most often at home," he explains.

According to the reporter, looking at the energy consumption through Google PowerMeter is more fun, compared to "deciphering of arcane energy bills." While you can download the raw data on the use of electricity, a quick look at the bewildering spreadsheet showed the importance of a significant interface and graphics PowerMeter's.

At the same time, Google launched a feature comparison for the PowerMeter through which one can compare their own consumption with the regional averages in the United States. "The use of our three-bedroom house with terrace was described as very good and similar to a one-bedroom apartment, which does not tell me much, except how high is the energy consumption of households in the United States, criticized Vaughan.

For the reporter, the resource may be more interesting because all data can be shared socially - and the results make people change their habits. " "While PowerMeter iGoogle and does not allow you to publish your energy use directly to Twitter or Facebook, AlertMe, for example, offers a 'Swingometer' staff to post a basis for their energy use Facebook, Twitter or your blog "suggests Vaughan.

Source: Estadão