Green Me Now

Google’s PowerMeter, a free web tool that lets users visualize power usage via charts and graphs, now has the power of the Energy Detective behind it.

Using the Detective device—an electricity-use monitor made by Energy Inc.—consumers can monitor home energy use in real time. And the Detective is now able to upload its data via the Internet to PowerMeter, giving homeowners a graphical view of energy consumption as it is happening, reports the New York Times.

Studies and pilot projects have shown that providing consumers with detailed information on energy use can translate into significant gains in energy conservation, according to the article.

Model 5000 of the Energy Detective, which retails for $200, measures power changes as little as 1 watt. The device can therefore track phantom loads, the energy drawn by appliances and electronic devices that are turned off but remain plugged in. Because it tracks energy in real time, users can see the effects of actions they take—shutting off lights, unplugging appliances, etc.—immediately, rather than waiting for an electric bill.