Having an energy efficient home is a high priority for more and more people and monitoring energy use is one way to achieve this goal. Being conscientious about your energy consumption and taking measures to conserve resources like natural gas, water and electricity is a good step. Performing an energy audit either on your own or through a professional contractor will help you identify where you are losing energy. Once you take the proper measures to reduce your energy demand and keep that valuable energy in through proper insulation and sealing you might want to consider a home energy monitoring system to keep track of your progress.

There are several products in the marketplace ranging from the simple to the sophisticated that will do an effective job in monitoring your home energy use. The most basic and easy to use is called a Smart Plug. These devices are easily installed. Plug the Smart Plug into your outlets and then plug in your electronic devices, appliances and other household items. You will be able to easily see how much energy each plugged-in device is using and unplug them when you aren’t using them.

For a broader view of your energy consumption you can invest in a whole house energy monitor or power monitor. These types of monitors allow you to enter information about the appliances, electronics and other devices you want to observe for energy consumption. You will also enter information about your energy bills and the monitor will provide you with information about how much electricity you are using and the cost. These types of whole house energy monitors can plug into a single outlet, connect directly to your electrical panel or be installed wirelessly. Whichever energy monitor you choose you will learn about your energy use and discover the best times to turn off devices, appliances and lights inside your home for the greatest energy savings. A variety of products are available on line and through home improvement retailers.

The most advanced energy monitor systems provide real-time analysis of home energy use including electricity, natural gas, water and other resources. These sophisticated systems are more expensive than other options but include features such as automated control of household devices and remote monitoring. Pairing an advanced monitoring system with energy efficient appliances and practical conservation efforts will amount to the most savings on energy costs in your home. Many energy monitor systems are currently available with high-tech features.

With a number of products available that vary widely in cost and features, the best way to choose one is to decide how much energy monitoring you want to do, how much you want to spend on a device or system and how much you want to save on home energy costs. Other complementary devices such as automatic light switches that sense motion and turn off and on when you enter or leave a room and handheld thermal readers will also help you control your energy use and monitor areas where your home may be losing energy.

If you are thinking about switching from your electric company to a new electricity supplier or