For the past four months, I've been able to open an app and view my home's electrical use in real-time. I can watch my electrical use rise and fall with each flip of a light switch or a press of the power button on a remote.
Sense -- a small device that lives inside my breaker panel -- has been monitoring and collecting my usage inside its app. The $300 device[1] can even identify certain types of devices, like a heater or a stove, and it lets you know exactly how much it costs you to dry your clothes each month (about $8 for my family of five).
But it's not a perfect solution. You'll have to monitor your usage, make adjustments, and then monitor some more to really get the most out of Sense.
Setup and installation
Sense is very clear in its instructions that you should hire a licensed electrician for installation. I've done enough electrical work around my home and in my electrical panel that I felt comfortable installing it.
The unit itself is designed to stay inside your panel, but if you don't have enough room, there is a mounting bracket included in the box.
The installation process requires connecting the monitor to an available 240V breaker, installing a Wi-Fi antenna, and connecting two clamp sensors to your electrical main. If you aren't comfortable with electrical work, you should hire an electrician. Installation should take less than 30 minutes. It took me about 10 minutes.
Sense outlines the installation process and any requirements for space or connections on its