Energy monitor for domestic checking

[pc1966]

I am looking for options to monitor a home installation for a day or two to find out what is causing suspiciously high bills. Ideally I would want maybe 4 channels recorded for at least 24 hours and to separate the total demand from at least one circuit (e.g. sockets) to help narrow down the usage. But not at huge cost, and need not be MID or similar accuracy. However, a quick look around has this 2-channel option as one possibility:

Shelly EM + 2 x 50A Clamp | Shelly Store UK | Smart Home Automation

Purchase Shelly EM + 2 x 50A Clamp from the only Shelly authorised reseller in the UK. Shop Wi-Fi smart home automation now!

shellystore.co.uk

Any got any better suggestions or experience of using this sort of thing?

 

[James]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CJGPHL9/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A39JNSYFEEWBC5&psc=1

this has 16 Chanel’s, I think they do a cheaper one with fewer ct clamps

 

[UNG]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CJGPHL9/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A39JNSYFEEWBC5&psc=1

this has 16 Chanel’s, I think they do a cheaper one with fewer ct clamps

That one doesn't get particularly good reviews due to needing an internet connection so it can record data to the cloud connected account could become a bit of a white elephant if the cloud app is shutdown

 

[pc1966]

That is a good point @UNG as my friend has rubbish internet/mobile coverage so anything that depends on a working connection is useless. Also from the reviews it seems the company is already back-tracking on capabilities and failing to offer promised features.

A shame, as that number of sensors would be ideal!

 

[Electro-tech]

Maybe old fashion Energy Monitors | OWL Micro+ | The OWL - https://www.theowl.com/index.php?cID=185
Sorry meant this one OWL Micro+ Wireless Electricity Monitor - https://www.smartgreenshop.co.uk/owl-micro-cm180

 

[littlespark]

The Amazon link:
Good price point though. Even if it doesn’t work in, say, 5 years time… it’s had its use.

Ideally Bluetooth to a phone or USB to laptop would be preferable.

 

[UNG]

Maybe old fashion Energy Monitors | OWL Micro+ | The OWL - https://www.theowl.com/index.php?cID=185
Sorry meant this one OWL Micro+ Wireless Electricity Monitor - https://www.smartgreenshop.co.uk/owl-micro-cm180

Comes out quite expensive when the OP wants to monitor multiple channels

 

[ferg]

In my experience suspiciously high bills are almost always down to Space and or water heating.

Very rarely a faulty meter.

Once a dehumidifier in a shed trying to dry out the sky.

Granny sucking eggs teaching and all that but have they checked all the usual suspects? Cylinder stat if they have an immersion, any electric space heating etc.

I went to look at something similar a few years back and the old dear had the hob on full pelt with no lids on the pans, the storage heaters with the convectors on full pelt, additional panel heaters on full and the input / output on the storage on full and the immersion boost permanently on.

Mostly when you hear hooves it's horses not Zebras

I gave her advice on reducing her bills FOC. Not long after that a salesman from Fisher heat got their claws in to her for an all new 100% efficient heating system.....

 

[Dartlec]

I am looking for options to monitor a home installation for a day or two to find out what is causing suspiciously high bills. Ideally I would want maybe 4 channels recorded for at least 24 hours and to separate the total demand from at least one circuit (e.g. sockets) to help narrow down the usage. But not at huge cost, and need not be MID or similar accuracy. However, a quick look around has this 2-channel option as one possibility:

Shelly EM + 2 x 50A Clamp | Shelly Store UK | Smart Home Automation

Purchase Shelly EM + 2 x 50A Clamp from the only Shelly authorised reseller in the UK. Shop Wi-Fi smart home automation now!

shellystore.co.uk

Any got any better suggestions or experience of using this sort of thing?

No experience of using this product, but Shelly stuff in general is good in my experience. Have one of their smart relays for smart light control, and it's only gone down once in about a year (just needed a reset from MCB).

Shelly are usually good about stuff working offline too, with a local webserver in each device - and pretty good tie in to other home automation stuff which is often not the case.

Of course someone with less morals than me might buy something on Amazon, use it for the 2-3 days, then return it - can't beat that cost...

 

[pirate]

Not long after that a salesman from Fisher heat got their claws in to her for an all new 100% efficient heating system.....

Oh yes...the Fischer 100% guarantee!
Makes me so angry!

 

[ferg]

Not long after that a salesman from Fisher heat got their claws in to her for an all new 100% efficient heating system.....

Oh yes...the Fischer 100% guarantee!
Makes me so angry!

They had a good salesman / con artist in my area for a while even doing a presentation at the local hall.

I've yet to come across anyone who didn't regret it.

Funnily enough it seemed to be older and more vulnerable people who bought their kit.