In-home power consumption monitors are trendy pieces of kit lately, with a new one popping up
every few months. But, while they're all happy to just kick back and tell you what a wasteful pig you're being, a new service from UK security company AlertMe could actually make you more efficient. Subscribers to the company's monitoring plans, which start at about $260 plus another $17.50/month, will be able to purchase Smart Plugs for $43 each that can communicate wirelessly to an AlertMe Heating Controller. From there subscribers can monitor their energy usage online via computer or phone. That's all standard stuff, but the service also includes keyfobs that will automatically turn down the heat and deactivate devices when you leave, and allows users to manually control the plugs and the thermostat by text message, meaning you'd never be more than a few thumb-presses (and a 20 cent
service charge) away from a warm and inviting home.
[Via
SmartPlanet]
posted Oct 8th 2008 9:57AM
Maybe it's just me... but the cost of the devices plus the service fee would cost me more than the wasted energy I think.
LOL.
I agree. It would be cheaper to just leave everything you own on permanently!
Also would you not have to have a compatible boiler in order for it to be controlled by this?
How much would that cost to install into your boiler (considering how much gas fitters charge for replacing a simple pump)?
http://tinyurl.com/pwrsaver
The concept of monitoring your devices for power usage is okay by me. But a monthly fee to do so? GTFO! I am *really* not just saying this to be snide, but are they serious??
You nailed it buddy. I think they are looking at the wrong vampires.
Don't forget about all the resources consumed in designing the device and building each one.
My central heating has a timer... also, many of the electronic devices I own have an off switch.
I got this bridge to sell, and if you buy it from me, your electricity bill will be cut by 99%.
The Bridge To Nowhere, now half off!
So will it shut itself off since its a waste of electricity as well??
GOD thats stupid... the $5 a year you lose in trickle charging, is cheaper than the $17.50 a month PLUS the $5+ a year to keep those things powered...
I can make an educated guess which company is going to flop very soon...
This is worthless. I can do something similar for a lot less. I have a thermostat that connects to Ethernet and with some cheap software I can adjust it via the internet (After I added a few layers of security). The thermostat was $115 and the software was $39.99.
I know, I've been playing with your thermostat for the last 20 minutes. It's pretty cool isn't it?
Funny - but I get your point. The interface is through VPN. So I need to VPN into my network from my laptop or my iPhone. After I VPN in, the system is run through a SSL web-interface and requires a separate username and password. I run it on a Debian machine (old Mac Mini) with a firewall. I eventually want to get some of those EEE PC's or other ultra-low-power desktops where I can load linux on it. I want to eventually extend it to lights, shades, TV's, etc...
I especially like the ease of use and installation, I should give that advice to my grandmother.
(I do, however, agree that the device in the article is way overpriced)
All the prices converted to US$ for a device in the UK with UK 3 pin plugs - at least leave the UK pricing too.
It seems to be some kind of low rent intruder detector - though it doesn't have a bell.
http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/gadgets/0,39030036,49298759,00.htm
"Conclusion
We'd only recommend the Alertme to people with more money than sense. "
will this work on my fridge?
this is X10, isn't it?
Why are the prices in dollars only? Will this even be available in the US?
Programmable T stats!
$17.50 per month? I've had electric bills of $36.00.
Whoa whoa, when did we switch to the Dollar?
"but the service also includes keyfobs that will automatically turn down the heat and deactivate devices when you leave..."
OR
You can turn off stuff with the "off" switch, it's pretty cool. And set your thermostat to turn down the heat at specific times (programmable thermostats are about $20).
Seriously, who buys this crap? I mean, a fully automated home is awesome, but this particular grouping of hardware is just garbage.
260+210 for a year of charges + 43 dollars per monitor = you gotta be kidding me. I pay two electric bills and it never comes to more than 40 dollars per month. Unless you've got a James Bond-villian level Secret Lair, this is overpriced by a factor of 100.
This just in, PT Barnum says, "There's a sucker...no, wait, no one will buy this sh*t"
basically, it's a wireless burglar alarm and house monitoring system that happens to use the ultra-cool technology "zigbee" instead of proprietary wireless technology or wires. the hub runs linux and it makes it easy for alertme to add new features. you can even use it as a wireless doorbell - a damn expensive one at that :-)
the system uses a cable/adsl broadband connection for most of the remote monitoring, and has a GSM/GPRS module for messaging your mobile phone as well as act as a backup if the broadband goes down.
the alertme stuff can also be bought without subscription where you "pay as you go" for the SMS alert messages and backup when broadband is down... BUT you can only buy a "starter" kit in that form, and this has some important features missing such as battery backup for the hub!
true, it is expensive, but it is remarkable flexible and sophisticated.
disclaimer: I have no financial connection with alertme, although a friend works there and he might buy me a beer for setting some of the facts straight,
The article mentions vampires.
vampire loads are what your TV/radio/etc. uses in the off-stat so that you can use a remote or something else to turn it on. It's generally very low power use.
These devices don't really address vampire loads. Yes, they cut power to the downstream device but then introduce their own vampire load so that you can control them remotely.
So these AlertMe plugs are only for forgetful people who leave their space-heaters on when they leave the house. Pretty limited use if you ask me.
So, nice article, but some woeful inaccuracies.
1) The price/business model for smartplugs has not been decided yet - it is entirely possible you will be able to buy a lightweight 'hub' and a bunch of smartplugs as an entry level product, with NO monthly fee. More attractive?
2) The $17.50/$260 is the price of entry level security system - it's a completely different product so quoting that pricing is simply wrong
3)Pricing for smartplugs has not been decided - but it certainly would not be $43!
4) Smartplugs are pretty much the tip of the iceberg - if you really want to save energy, you need to address your central heating controller - and that will be the core of any energy product.
And some of the comments about keyfobs are understandable, but slightly misinformed. The whole point of the keyfobs is that they're members of the wireless network. So, when you leave the house, the system knows. That's a nice data point to help you control your heating more precisely. Rather than the old 'switch on at 6am, off at midday' etc., you can have something that completely transparently turns your heating down when the house is empty, and back up when you return home. All without *any* button pressing at all.
And yes, I do work for AlertMe - just wanting to set the record straight! And no, it's not X10.
James