Dive Summary:
- MeterPlug is a pass-through device for electrical outlets that tracks a given outlet's real-time energy usage, enabling users to increase efficiency and savings.
- MeterPlug's app for iPhone and Android devices provides real-time data, consumption history and remote control of an outlet using the pass-through device; MeterPlug's Vampire Power Shield will automatically shut off the power to standby devices that are sapping power.
- MeterPlug has a $60 retail price but can also be bought for $45 on IndieGoGo.
From the article:
"... Using MeterPlug looks pretty simple: Just plug it in to an outlet and connect any appliance you want to monitor into the Meter Plug. You’ll see actual energy usage for the appliance on an iPhone or Android handset that supports the Bluetooth 4.0 LE standard. The MeterPlug itself uses a scant 0.1 watts of juice, so using it won’t add any noticeable cost to your utility bill. And when the MeterPlug sees that a connected appliance hasn’t been used for a while, it cuts the power to eliminate any 'Vampire' drain.
On the phone, you can turn on or off a device connected to the MeterPlug, which is a nice extra, but the real value is in the energy monitoring. With the companion app, you can view consumption history over time or the actual current use and cost, based on electricity prices. Armed with that data, you can see which appliances are using more electricity than others, which could help you decide when to upgrade to a more efficient model. ..."