TED: The Energy Detective

TED speaks. We listen. TED is The Energy Detective, a real-time home electricity monitor that is the equivalent of a digital stethoscope. It probes beneath the surface to really understand what is ticking in your house, and how much energy it is using. In our case, TED told us that our home entertainment center was costing us $30 a month when it was OFF! Yikes. The TED manufacturer provides a software package (not included) for hooking the device's brain into your computer, providing a colorful graphic interface for tracking and storing energy use, appliance by appliance, room by room, even light by light. TED plugs into any wall socket and into your home utility box. In the beginning... there is TED. Once you figure out how your home is spending your money, you can take steps to set things right. You can even get the kids involved. It's a game. How much can you save? (And what do you earn for saving it?) Use the tools herein to earn that money back, and you might just start to feel generous about prizes! You get started by installing TED in your home. TED is comprised of two components -- a transmitter that is easy to install in your electricial box, and a receiver that plugs into any wall socket. Information is transmitted over the existing wiring in your home. The installation instructions are clear and you or your electrician can have TED working in 10 or 15 minutes. Why we love TED: We think it all begins with measuring, and knowing. This is a solid, easy to use tool to get the information flowing. And you gotta love the name TED. So assuring.