Sense vs Emporia Vue Energy Monitor Comparison

[@lamontbullock8887]

This was useful as I was considering both Emporia and Sense but was leaning toward Emporia.

[@cugms]

Thanks for this comparison -- it's exactly what I was looking for.

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

Lovely! Any questions I missed?

[@cugms]

@@NatetheHouseWhisperer Nope. Yours was the most comprehensive (and most recent) review I've found. Thanks.

[@juancarrera5524]

I loved my emporia in my last house! Just bought a new one to fit to my new house!

[@randizzle7659]

I've submitted feedback to Sense several times wanting to be able to individually turn on loads so I can identify them. It got nowhere. Watched this video to see Emporia, gotta sat I like it. Thanks for your efforts.

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

That was my conclusion too. Bummed me out. But Emporia is less expensive which is nice. I have 5 of them now personally.

[@dubmob151]

​That doesn't make Sense a better option then. I wonder if Emporia is still in process of developing their app; while it looks like it's working very well overall for the few days I've had it, it would be awesome if they made some improvements like the ability to select date for review using a calendar instead of always having to scroll back from the present time and date. The Eyedro 2 I have is truly polished and refined in its capability to go back and review past data in minute detail. Only real drawback with that is not having the ability for subcircuit monitoring, which is what puts the Vue in a category of its own.

[@BretChilcott]

Excellent video. Thank you for diving into the details of each system. Keep up the good work!

[@TexasCanuck]

great Video. I been using Sense since it came out. we now have a new Altra efficient Variable HVAC/heat pump and its registering on Sense. so I ordered Emporia with 16 connections for our house and will move the Sense to our VBRO (next door).

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

I have the Vue because of you.

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

Do you like it?

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

@@NatetheHouseWhisperer oh yes. My neighbor sits on the board of the company.

[@tom95521]

I'm on PG&E so decided to order the Vue Utility Connect Energy Monitor that connects to the Smart Meter. If I like it then I''ll get a Vue 2.

[@dubmob151]

Emporia doesn't display voltage directly, but it could be inferred from the power divided by the current readings at any given second, if it was needed. Does seem like a really easily fixed shortcoming since the unit obviously measures the voltage, just doesn't display it on the app

[@gregsmith6791]

We have a 200A main service panel and two 100A sub panels: one in the garage with our EVSE tied to that and another one in the utility room for our net metering solar array. I'm guessing I'm going to need three emporia monitors if that's the route I want to go. I understand that the sense energy has some issues with recognizing everything properly but with my two sub panels I feel like that would be an easier solution since it picks up everything downstream of the main panel. Thoughts on that?

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

Sense is definitely easier for that application. I'd probably do the 3 Emporias because I'm a nerd, but there's a lot to be said for just seeing total consumption and solar production, and the Sense app really is beautiful. I suspect you'd be happier long term with the Emporias, it's possible the Sense will miss stuff you would like to see in which case you'll have to fork over more for the Emporias if you want to know. It's mainly a question of how many variable speed things you want to monitor, if you're going the electrification route you'd be best served by variable speed HVAC which Sense won't pick up. Maybe that helps you make a call.

[@Just_An_Idea_For_Consideration]

can either of these be used to monitor DC power current voltage by using Hall Effect Sensors?

[@dooley4334]

If not do you know one that does?

[@WhodatIzz]

How does Emporia do for solar monitoring. I originaly got our sense because our solar app wasn't helping me really manage my usage. sense's charts with solar over usage are great. but boy do i wish they would support more circuit clamps to break things down into smarter groups.

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

I don't have personal experience with solar, but I know it does it.

[@bennguyen1313]

I'd like to be notified when a paritcular outlet/plug changes in power draw.. or exceeds my set limit. I don't have a HomeKit, nor a Aqara Hub. Do you know of energy-monitoring solution (Sense, Emporia, SwitchBot, TP-Link, Meross MSS110, , Vue Smart) that can easily be enabled/disabled for notification when it detects a 50 percent change in power usage?

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

No, nothing that detailed for notifications. You could look at the app of course. Emporia will let you know if an oven has been on for over an hour which is cool. The Emporia 110 plugs show you current usage and usage over time, so you could figure out what's going on if that's helpful.

[@dubmob151]

The Emporia lets you set up notifications when the power draw on any of the monitored circuits is above a threshold you specify for a period of time you can also specify. It's not in terms of percentage but in Watts that you'd set the threshold.

[@3AmericanPie]

Would the Emporia 2 work for homes with tenets so we can see what and how much electricity is being used? And can you use two cell phones with the same accounts so 2 people can monitor what's what on usage?

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

Yes to both. If there is more than one main panel, you’ll need more than one monitor though. If it’s a duplex or triplex.

[@3AmericanPie]

@@NatetheHouseWhisperer There's only one main panel. It's a large home with 2 areas for rent. Owner living in the main area and 2 separate suites with separate entrance. My concern is, how would I now if MY power source is conect or ajemcent to the up stairs? How does this item know it I'm using the power source ot the person upon is using the power source that's adjacent to mine?

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

@@3AmericanPie The CT (current transmitter) clamps watch individual circuits. If you can't clamp all of them it will show you what the balance is that isn't monitored on individual circuits. It should work for you as long as you can put it in the main panel, and you may need more than one if you want to watch more than 16 individual circuits. For 220 circuits you usually only need to clamp one side. As long as there is a shared neutral (only three wires, not four), you only have to clamp one. The main exception is subpanels.

[@3AmericanPie]

@@NatetheHouseWhisperer we are receiving this kit this Friday and been watching videos on the how to's, The owner has a electrical panel that's in and shape. And feels that the electrical is not accurate and wants a bigger payment for electrical. I live and normally not home with work. I use 45w ceiling long bulbs. Meanwhile he had 8pce of 600w led growing lights with a commercial filtration and feels he's paying to much? "Wonder why".. I in one of those situations. I'm starting to pay $50.00 a month for my share on how I use my electricity. The kwh is $.24 cents . I been asking around if that's fair, and most people Re saying $25-30 should be enough for what I am using. So this item is on it way and hope this make him realize ware the mkse is pulling from. But I hope this item will determine ware exactly is coming from. Because some times when the tenant upstairs uses something as I using something downstairs? It trios the box. So that's why u was asking if it matter is the power sources are adjacent wouldn't recognize it ans show? Hope that makes sence..

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

@@3AmericanPie If there happens to be a circuit where it has outlets in both units, you'll have to figure that out, it won't be split up by Emporia. Normally that's not the case but it's possible here. Either way, this is as good as you can do - good luck figuring it out! Now you can pay for exactly what you use.

[@alexherrera3918]

Does the emporium can be used with a desktop?

[@nateadams8475]

Yes, they have a webapp. Almost identical to the phone/tablet app.

[@alexherrera3918]

@@nateadams8475 found it thanks!

[@RonBme]

Why not upgrade the thermostats to smart stats which would show u usage

[@hvac2.038]

A few do runtime monitoring, only Ecobee is good at it, none monitor usage except Carrier Infinity. So there is no great replacement for energy monitoring.

[@WhodatIzz]

Sense would be SOOO much more helpful if you could sort your device list by monthly usage, or by most-recently-on. but it's default to on/off alphabetical which is next to useless for analysis.

[@The_Unobtainium]

5:10 - where all the data are stored? Is it cloud based service? Is it possible to collect all the data on your local drive, your local IoT system (like Home Assistant) to use the data for energy consumption analysis and storage so i can compare i.e. year to year, month ot month?

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

It’s cloud based. Not sure on the other questions, I’d check with their support team.

[@AugustBanks]

it is technically possible to pull this data into HA, but its not easy and not in any way out of the box. For most people the answer is no.

[@mickeymallette2663]

I have a Sense that I’ve had for 3 years. Just connecting it. I have a very unique home electrical set up. Would you give some advice?

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

I'll need a lot more info than that. Multiple panels? Is there enough space in them for an Emporia each? You can combine multiple Emporias into one home. What else is unique?

[@mickeymallette2663]

@@NatetheHouseWhisperer ha. I understand. House was on a 200A meter service. After a renovation adding around 50% more square footage, we added a second 200A meter. So there is a 400A meter at the service pole that feeds two 200A “sub -panels” inside my house. I have a Sense on one of the inside panels. Should I just get a second Sense and put on the other inside panel? Or would you use the Emporia? I just assumed since I have one Sense that it made more sense to get one more. (How many times can I say sense? LOL)

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

@@mickeymallette2663 I need to hook my own up, I have a 100 amp panel on my barn and a 200 amp panel on my house, both feeding from the same meter. Emporia can handle multiple panels, and since it watches individual circuits while Sense has largely failed to find variable loads, I'd lean strongly towards Emporia. Plus it's about half the cost so you can get a 2 for 1 deal basically. If you do it, please report back! And don't forget to use the affiliate link on the video to save 5%.

[@mickeymallette2663]

@@NatetheHouseWhisperer I will check back in

[@SDCollectiveBand]

My roommates rent includes all utilities and she wants AC for her room.... Would this be able to track usage (costs) based on "time of use" where you can enter different rates the utility charges during peak hours etc?

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

I'm not sure, that would be a question for their support team. I know you can schedule devices with a smart switch to run to take advantage of TOU but not sure if they incorporate that into monitoring.

[@dubmob151]

Is the monitoring for the purpose of being able to bill the roommate for the cost of the AC usage separately from the normal utilities usage? Do the "all utilities included" generally exclude things that may be considered above and beyond normal usage by the renters? I'd guess starting up an indoor grow lab would not be viewed as normal for instance.

[@SDCollectiveBand]

Yes, usage was talked about. San Diego has the highest energy charges. It would be hard to say "an extra $20 a month" as the bill could easily exceed that when you exceed the baseline. @@dubmob151

[@tylerp85]

You need to use Home Assistant.

[@NatetheHouseWhisperer]

It's funny, I'm an early adopter on some things - IAQ monitors and energy monitors, but not on other things.

[@tylerp85]

@@NatetheHouseWhisperer I think you will love getting all that energy data into a place! Good luck with everything

[@dubmob151]

What's a good startup guide for Home Assistant and Graphana? That sounds like something I'd like to use if it can save the data with seconds granularity for display down the line, while the Emporia cloud storage only retains it for three hours before it gets deleted.

[@emmgeevideo]

This is a bit of a snoozer... I don't think watching him look at his graphs tells me much about how to compare the two products.

[@dooley4334]

Does the sense show power in amps option?