Energy monitoring

You cannot manage what you do not measure. Energy monitoring provides the data you need to understand exactly how much electricity and gas your home is consuming, allowing you to identify waste and take targeted action to reduce your bills.

Types of energy monitoring

1. Smart Meters (IHD)

If you have a smart meter, you will likely have an In-Home Display (IHD). This small screen shows your current usage in pence per hour and your total usage for the day, week, and month.

  • Best for: General awareness and tracking daily spend.

2. Smart Meter Apps

Many energy suppliers (like Octopus Energy, E.ON, and British Gas) provide apps that connect to your smart meter data. These often offer more detailed analysis than the IHD, including historical comparisons and breakdown by time-of-day.

3. Third-party Energy Monitors

Devices like the Loop Energy Saver or Sense connect directly to your smart meter or clip onto your main electricity cable. They often provide more granular data and can even identify the “signature” of specific appliances (like your kettle or fridge) to show how much they cost to run.

4. Smart Plugs with Power Monitoring

For individual appliances, smart plugs with built-in energy monitoring allow you to see exactly how much power a device is drawing, including its standby (vampire) power consumption.

Why monitoring works

  • Identifies “Vampire” Loads: You might be surprised how much energy is consumed by devices left on standby or chargers left plugged in.
  • Encourages Behavioural Change: Seeing the cost per hour spike when you turn on a tumble dryer or electric heater often encourages more mindful usage.
  • Verifies Upgrades: If you install insulation or a new boiler, monitoring allows you to verify the real-world impact on your bills.
  • Time-of-Use Optimization: Monitoring is essential if you are on a Time-of-Use tariff, as it helps you shift high-load activities to cheaper times.

Pro Tip: If your IHD has stopped working or is out of range, you can often use free apps like Bright or Loop to connect directly to the national smart meter network and see your data on your phone.

Monitoring Checklist

  1. Check your IHD: Is it placed somewhere visible (like the kitchen)?
  2. Download your supplier’s app: Ensure you have access to your historical usage data.
  3. Identify your baseline: What is the “resting” usage of your home when everything is turned off at night?
  4. Audit high-energy appliances: Use a smart plug to check the usage of your fridge, washing machine, and dishwasher.