Track Your Home’s Energy Use in Real Time
Reduce energy use. Save money. Live comfortably. Many of us share these goals—but how do we get there?
Utility bills are often the only source of information. A bill arrives in the mail along with relief—or shock—at how much energy has been used and how much it will cost.
But what if you could track your home’s energy use as it happens? What if you could see, for example, how turning off an appliance instantly reduces electricity consumption? What if you could follow trends in your home’s comfort—too warm or cool, too humid or dry—and get energy-saving advice based on this real-time information?
That’s the aim of an upcoming Energize Bridgewater program called EMIS.
EMIS stands for Energy Management Information System, a general term for systems that monitor and analyze information about energy use within buildings. EMIS also monitors indoor and outdoor temperature and air quality. These systems have been installed on university campuses and in large businesses throughout the world.
Energize Bridgewater is taking the innovative step of making EMIS available for homes throughout our community. Currently at the pilot stage, with installation planned for late 2023, the project will make the Town of Bridgewater one of the first to monitor energy use at the community level.
“We know that 35% of Bridgewater households juggle bills to pay for utilities. 32% report cutting back on groceries to pay for power and heating. EMIS will use real-time information at the household level to help residents identify energy-saving opportunities and make cost-saving decisions.”
How will it work for residents?
The program is voluntary, and initially available to homeowners who have participated in Energize Bridgewater’s Home Upgrade program. It works by installing sensors in the home. These sensors record electricity use as well as indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and C02 levels.
Residents will see this information online or can request paper copies. Easy-to-read figures will show electricity use, peak usage times, and associated costs. This information can be compared to outdoor temperature and indoor comfort levels. By understanding energy use patterns, homeowners can make informed decisions. For example, energy-intensive tasks such as running the clothes dryer can be scheduled for off-peak hours or residents may decide to seek out energy-efficient upgrades such as insulation or newer appliances. By optimizing energy use, residents can effectively reduce their energy bills.
But the power of EMIS extends beyond the home. Energize Bridgewater is working with data and privacy experts to monitor energy use from all buildings in the EMIS program. This first-of-its-kind project will look at the Town of Bridgewater as a connected system with diverse buildings and diverse needs of residents. The data will guide additional energy-efficiency programs as well as other forms of housing and social assistance.
By providing local information and local solutions, EMIS will help to steer Bridgewater toward environmental sustainability, individual home comfort and affordability, and overall community wellbeing.
Photos in this blog post were provided by the Nova Scotia Community College.