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Availability

We are now taking orders for the newly released residential eMonitor4. Orders placed will be filled as eMonitor4 units become available orders may take up to 4 weeks to ship.

Figuring out the right eMonitor configuration can be tricky -- don't hesitate to call us at 207-847-3644 or send email to support@energycircle.com -- we'll help you work out the configuration that's right for you.

NOTE: The eMonitor4 requires a separate software service agreement that includes proactive monitoring, alerts, software upgrades, unlimited data storage,  ongoing support and more. This license is sold separately through Powerhouse Dynamics at time of system registration. Pricing details on the service are below or in our FAQ.  Additionally, renewable monitoring is now possible on all models and is added during registration.  

NOTE: The eMonitor4 gateway can either connect through your WiFi or through an ethernet cable, make the approrpiate selection above. 

Free iPhone App available through iTunes.  

Product Description

The new iteration of the  Powerhouse Dynamics eMonitor (eMonitor 4) improves on the world's best whole-house, circuit-by-circuit energy monitoring and management system by adding a host of design enhancements including wireless connectivity, easy expansion, as well as a  sleeker modular design and easier installation.

Not Just Another Hardware Based Electricity Monitor

eMonitor is a service that lets you view your home's 24x7, minute-by-minute electricity use, electricity cost, and carbon footprint, as well as historical information by day, month, or year, all in a password protected web site, with an exceptional graphical interface anywhere you can access the Internet, including an iOS App. 

eMonitor goes far beyond just your current usage and displaying the raw data it collects from your house -- the eMonitor service analyzes your usage and presents information in aggregate and in detail in a number of ways that help you understand how your home is using energy, what it all means, and importantly: what you can change in order to use the energy you need, efficiently, effectively, and smartly.

Not Just Data: Information You Can Use

Bruce, a customer, reports "After about 3 weeks of monitoring my home w/ eMonitor, I am totally sold on its value.  It has helped me sort out our rather co-mingled wiring, find where the "phantom" loads are (and even a leak to ground), and identify just what devices are costing us.  It has been eye opening - and I'm in the energy efficiency business. Has fascinated my family and colleagues and helped us to look for even more saving opportunities and habit changes."

While other stand-alone hardware solutions provide a snapshot of your usage at any given moment, the eMonitor service collects data and stores it over time so that you can see how your home operates as a system.  No other energy monitoring system comes close to the level of detail, analysis and actionable information that the eMonitor service can provide.

Circuit-by-Circuit Detail

The cutting-edge feature of the eMonitor service is its capability to display electricity use by individual circuit so you can see real-time and historical information of everything using energy, not just major appliances, entertainment centers, and air conditioning, but also the circuits you may not have realized are actually a significant part of your home's energy usage.

In addition to storing detailed historical data on electrical usage, the service keeps you continuously up to speed on your home's energy usage by providing you with a broad set of alerts, sent by email or text message.  For example if circuits are overloaded, if there are problems with appliances or your renewable sources, if your electricity usage is unusual, or if your energy bills are approaching a threshold (set by you).

How It Works

The new eMonitor4 hardware is now split to more easily fit inside the electrical panel itself and remove the need to complicated wiring.  The eMonitor4 base unit goes inside the panel and transmit wirelessly to the eMonitor gateway which in turn connects to your home’s WiFi network.  Each module can record the usage and other data from the electrical circuits in your house.  The eMonitor hardware is very flexible and easily installed near to your home's electrical service entrance.

Each eMonitor configuration comes with hardware to monitor a number of "channels" -- typically a channel is the same as one of your electrical circuits.  But eMonitor is flexible enough to handle cases like 240v "unbalanced" circuits, several smaller circuits "bundled" into a single channel, sub-panels, larger services with multiple panels (e.g. 400a, 600a, etc), panels in different locations, inputs from solar, wind, generators and almost any electrical configuration found in North American homes having Single Phase electrical services. 

Most American homes can be covered with one eMonitor4-24, which includes hardware for two 120v mains, and 22 additional channels. Additional configurations are available for homes of all sizes; we’ve seen installations that use only a few channels to one that strings together half a dozen systems to measure a multi-family co-housing development.

The eMonitor is also equipped to integrate with some wi-fi enabled thermostats, and will have future capability to remotely control individual outlets through smart plugs, and may integrate with many existing home control systems. Planned future enhancements also include the ability to monitor other energy sources such as natural gas and home heating oil.

What You’ll Need

The eMonitor modules allow a wide range of configurations.  In a typical home, there's a single main service panel with two main wires ("phases"), each carrying 120v.  The mains distribute power to individual circuits -- usually from one 120v phase.  Larger loads like dryers, air handlers, ranges, and so on use power from each of the two phases to have a single 240v circuit.

The eMonitor hardware has a fixed number of "channels" -- 2 are needed for the main phases, and in a simple configuration one channel for each 120v circuit and each "balanced" 240v circuit -- 2 channels are needed for unbalanced 240v circuits such as dryers and water heaters.  We recommend monitoring each circuit separately, but there are cases where you can "bundle" two or three circuits into a single channel.  Circuits not monitored will be recorded as a single measurement labeled as “unmonitored power”.

 Here are some example configurations and the basic monthly service license fees:

**The eMonitor requires a seperate 2-year software service agreement, which is sold through PowerHouse Dyanmics during system registration.   Service covers proactive monitoring and alerts, free software upgrades, unlimited data storage, and more. For more information see our eMonitor Q&A page.

*The Renewable monitoring license enables monitoring and separate display of inputs from renewable energy sources.  Significant additional functionality is enabled through this license so it is highly recommended if your home is powered by solar panels or wind.  The Renewable monitoring license is not needed for power inputs like backup generators. The "s" models are used for sub-panels, or to allow monitoring additional circuits on a larger service panel and therefore can only be purchased to extend a system, but cannot be used on their own.

We Thought You'd Like To Know

Installation: The eMonitor measures electricity with split-core current transformers (CT's) that clamp around each wire for each circuit in your panel, plus CT's for the two main power leads that feed your home's mail panels’ electrical supply. There are no special electrical connections or wiring required -- the CT clamps wrap around the wires, and measure current through induction.

While a qualified homeowner could easily perform the work, Powerhouse Dynamics recommends having installation done by a qualified electrician, as the breaker panel cover needs to be removed. (Note: depending on your locality, there may be a local ordinance requiring all work done within an electrical panel be performed by a licensed electrician.) The lead wires from each CT run to the eMonitor which is mounted inside the electrical panel. The eMonitor then sends the data wirelessly to the Gateway, which is installed next to an outlet within 30’ of the electrical panels.  The Gateway then communicates via WiFi with your home's Internet router - NOTE - the eMonitor4 requires a WiFi connection. 

NOTE: The new eMonitor4 is not backwards compatible, for those looking to expand existing eMonitor systems please contact us for more information or order a previous generation eMonitor here. 

Need to Know More?

More Details and Frequently Asked Questions about eMonitor Service

Or watch this video review by Chris Hunt from Power Down.

Nitty Gritty

WARRANTY

Powerhouse Dynamics (the manufacturer) will replace any of the Powerhouse Dynamics products found to be defective for two (2) years. Powerhouse Dynamics reserves the right to change this warranty at any time or for any specific product.  The warranty in place at the time of a sale will prevail for that customer.  Powerhouse Dynamic’s sole warranty obligation concerning any of the products shall be limited to those obligations stated above or in any written warranty enclosed with the products.  Questions about returns can be directed to support@energycircle.com

RETURNS

Energy Circle accepts returns of eMonitor within 30 days of shipment.  eMonitor must be returned in same condition it was delivered, including all packaging and original shipping box.  All CTs must be neatly wrapped.  $55 restocking fee applies to each eMonitor.

SHIPPING COST

For each eMonitor module ordered, there's a flat rate of $35.