Forecast: 28 Million Home Energy Displays by 2015

A Pike Research report forecasts that home energy displays will be in 28.1 million homes by 2015, and that they will be coming in a variety of shapes and sizes — and functions. According to the report, about half of the displays will be actual devices with the balance coming in the form of Internet-based dashboards and a smaller number from mobile phones.

A variety of home energy monitoring devices are already on the market with different capabilities. Some work in conjunction with smart meters, and some don't, for example. But the thinking is that by giving consumers detailed information about their energy consumption they can manage their energy use and save money.

Consumers with more advanced monitoring systems will be able to control their consumption by programming appliances and home heating and cooling systems to work in conjunction with energy efficiency programs run by their utilities.

The monitoring systems also have a varied range of price tags, from under $100 to three or four times that amount. And thanks to the Smart Grid stimulus program, roughly one million homes are expected to get the systems free from their electric utility.

   Pike Research press release

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