Sense Energy Monitor Review | The Best Electricity Monitor?

[@rickwaffird2461]

Great job on the video. I'm very interested. How is the security of the device and information it's sending protected? Or is it open on the WiFi like all other home devices?

[@EvanMooreZ]

Nice job with your video video presentation. I liked your format, style and pacing. I plan on getting a sense monitor, because of this review. Meanwhile, I'm also getting this water monitor called Flume Smart Home Water Monitoring, which basically does the same thing.... but from a water point of view. Again, nice work!

[@jrg3882]

Thanks. I feel the electric companies should use smart meters that way it’s more accurate

[@maryamr.aliabadi8091]

Nice introduction to Sense. I would like to use the Sense to monitor power usage of different robotic devices in my lab. Would it work? Is Sense able to detect every device automatically, or I have to introduce every electronic device in my setting?

[@chargeeverywhere]

It may not work that well unfortunately. It detects devices automatically and then you need to label them. Sometimes it has a pretty good idea what it is - other times not so much. I’m guessing your devices are primarily motors? It does pick up fans, but not all of them. For instance the 40W fan that we run every night hasn’t been detected. My condensate pump was picked up very quickly. So my short answer is that it would likely pick up some devices, but I can’t guarantee that it will detect them all.

[@oneconsciousman1942]

security is absolutely paramount. Price is another . as is warranty and service. The device is pretty expensive at over $400.00 CDN, so you have to consider if the savings on energy is worth the initial investment. I see that without knowing where energy is being drained you can continue to use more than needed. so perhaps once you know you can adjust your usage and recoup the investment, eventually rending the cost moot. The video presentation was easy to follow and informative. Now it is a matter of deciding if I would want to invest in it. The one issue you've raised - the glitch you've discovered, and the subsequent inability for sense to correct it, leaves me wondering if this will be common in more than just one situation. I will hav to mull over this and see what other reviewers have to say about it.

[@chargeeverywhere]

I’ve had the issue on a few devices at our new place, but it does seem to work itself out some over time as the machine learning improves. As for power savings I’m not sure it’s been worth it for me. However, it does help out in some interesting ways. The other week the defrost sensor on our refrigerator went and it stopped cooling. I was able to fix it temporarily by periodically turning the fridge off and on using a timer. The Sense allowed me to keep an eye on it to make sure it was running while I was at work.

[@cam_machi]

What does it mean to have empty breakers? That there are blanks without switches or switches without labels? If it's switches without labels, then what do I buy?

[@VanlilfewithDaleandBailey]

I just got a sense unit, and the setup was as easy as you said. Love that.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Yea, one of the easiest I can think of! Enjoy!

[@chazfisher3724]

Good review. I also watched your review of the Neurio monitor. Which do you think does a better job of identifying the different large appliances in your home?

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! Hands down, the Sense is a much better device. Not only does it detect things with less effort, but the team at Sense is constantly working hard to keep improving the product. I don’t hear much from Neurio anymore and the product seems to be about the same as it was 2 years ago.

[@chazfisher3724]

@@chargeeverywhere Thanks. My only problem with the Sense is that I have to buy two. My house has two parallel 150 amp panels. The Neurio can use the current sensor inputs for the second panel, but the Sense doesn't have that capability.

[@97JoMiller]

how do you figure out it's a fridge motor? it's not like you can trigger the motor on the fridge.

[@samueladuamah-yeboah8179]

I like this what is the highest power capacity sense can read? because i work in a farm where i have pumps and other airators running as well

[@chargeeverywhere]

Unfortunately, looking at their specs it looks like 200A split phase 240V (120V for each phase) is the upper limit of what it can do. This would be about 48kW of power. Here is a link to their spec page: sense.com/techspecs Cheers!

[@TCPUDPATM]

Great video. I’m pretty sure the only thing the sense can detect is the amps and perhaps power factor (can this be done wirelessly?!) . It’s pretty hard to tell resistive loads apart simply with this information so I hope there’s a way to improve on this.

[@chargeeverywhere]

You’re right that it is looking at amps, but it looks at the cycling of loads and uses machine learning to identify devices. In my experience over the past few years it has difficulty differentiating some loads, but others are spot on. For instance, it really knows my refrigerator. I know this because it had issues with it a few months ago and I could use Sense to see when it last ran. It was a great tool to make sure my food stayed cool until I got the fridge fixed!

[@markfernandes2467]

@@chargeeverywhere "it uses machine learning" - God this is soo dumb lol. How about, you plug this thing in, turn off litterally everything off in your house, then when you are reading 0 watts, or baseline, you then turn one item on (stove for example), the thing then reads this and you instantly can tell it what this appliance is, no guessing for 60 days required lol. You then turn this off again and go round your home repeating this process with everything else you have one by one. This might take an hour i guess, but it would actually work from day 1 and cut out the guesswork. There, i fixed it for them. Where's my business consultant fee?

[@bikerboy8666]

@@markfernandes2467 Ha good one Mark. That is exactly what I was thinking about this initial learning process. Just spend the time, especially for the big power hungry devices and do what you said. That is if this thing is smart enough to accept this setup process. Get all your major devices 'learned' or setup and go from there. Somehow I think there will some issue that Sense will say it can't work that way and must go thru our procedure. If it would work this way I would buy this thing. I would do a little work up front and then be done. If it tweaks the setup a bit more over time for smaller devices and improves the overall reporting, then great.

[@matthewmacry6479]

Im trying to monitor usage from my inlawsute only ,which has a 100a subpanel in a detached building but is powered from my main 250a panel in my main house by the meter . So I installed sense in the 100a subpanel in the in-law suite to monitor the power usage from there only . Now do i have to input all the equipment and devices in the building in the app ? Or will it figure the majority out on its own . Because I didn't go in app and further label the make and model of every appliance. But I did select that I have such appliance and devices and quantities just didn't further detail what they are . How accurate will this work for me .

[@davidthesolarpro9827]

Great Video! I'm about to go solar at my home. I'm a few weeks out and looking for a way to monitor details usage and this was a great explainer. I'm going with the solar reading feature.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Cool! If I had solar I’d definitely want a monitor like Sense. Heck, I don’t have solar and still love having Sense!

[@davidthesolarpro9827]

makjosher I’ll reach out to you when I get mine and do an update, check out my recent video just got my house an energy efficiency upgrade!

[@lukimy2704]

So how do you like it so far? Just installed solar and thinking about this

[@plusmartini]

Does the app and webapp load your data in real time when you are away from home? In other words, does Sense upload all its readings to the cloud in real time? What kind of data logs does Sense offer? with what time range and power resolution? Thanks

[@DIY-CIRCUIT]

Very good review, gives a good idea of the realistic capabilities of this device

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks Aaron! I really have been impressed by this device! So far it’s doing a great job in our new home as well.

[@peshtigomark]

Enjoyed the review. Thanks

[@dougspindler4947]

After moving, does the AI work any better? Looking at the reviews on Amazon purchasers are saying the AI/Learning still isn't working well. You mentioned you can enter you power companies rate info. I live in California where we have Time of Use billing where rates change 5 times a day from between $0.12 and $0.49 kWhr. Does Sense support TOU rates?

[@bradws4eva]

Awesome review! How did it work in your new home?

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! So far it’s doing very well - although we now heat our space, water and food with gas. I’ll have to finish that update I promised.

[@iareadyno]

Informative video and only a little bloat, thanks! I have 1 question: Can Sense detect a sub-panel and if so, can it isolate the individual loads in that sub-panel?

[@glenlangley5076]

It should. Based on what saw it basically names appliances based on current flow.

[@bryanquesadarojas2951]

Can the data be exported to Excel ???

[@scottfuller1991]

Can this device track each leg to let you know if you have a load imbalance?

[@mindlessgreen]

They should manufacture cheap sensors like a sticker with embedded circuits and stick that to cables of all devices. They you get definitive assessment of how much energy is used by each device. No need to guess.

[@chargeeverywhere]

That’s a great idea. Not sure on how viable that is though. The TED energy monitor has individual clamps for each circuit, but it’s more expensive and difficult to install.

[@mindlessgreen]

@@chargeeverywhere The TP-Link HS110 is probably the cheapest option now.

[@mdmeyerpfa]

ok but the real question (that you do not address) is what do you do with this information that lets you save some money. Knowing that my AC, or dish washer, or fridge uses X watts is useless unless you are going to turn them off which I expect most people will not do. Did you take any actions based on what the Sense data revealed?

[@antoniotrubin]

This is a good review, but you state thatbthis is the best one...have you tested/used the smapee, ted pro, or eyedro as well? I'm on the fence as to which to get and my main goal is to identify who or what is using the most energy in my house...

[@chargeeverywhere]

While I haven’t used any of those you mentioned, I do have opinions on them. I believe Smappee may be very comparable to Sense. I would love to test their unit but unfortunately haven’t been able to justify buying another unit. The TED operates a bit differently by monitoring individual circuits. This should give you a better read on things off the bat, but it won’t be able to see individual devices on a single circuit the way Sense eventually does. It’s a bit more expensive too. The Eyedro is inexpensive, but as far as I can tell does not have the capability to identify or track individual devices or circuits. There are some things I like about the Sense that I didn’t mention. Mainly integration with some smart plugs and Philips Hue bulbs. It’s nice to be able to see more of the available energy info in one place. Plus, they are working to roll out more integrations with things like thermostats. A really hard-working and forward-looking team!

[@allanjohnson2925]

This product something I am looking for. I have a 2016 Nissan Leaf, solar -mains configuration and power here is 50cps & 220 volts(New Zealand). Are their any forseeable issues?

[@WebologyW0RX]

Does Sense allow you to cut power to devices on a schedule (i.e. If i want my son's Xbox outlet to no longer be powered after midnight...?)

[@chargeeverywhere]

Unfortunately, it does not. I would recommend a smart outlet or plug for that. Sense does integrate with several smart plugs and you can turn them on and off manually from the app, but you could also do that from the app for the plug. The long and short of it, I wouldn't recommend Sense for your application.

[@IncomingP]

Any similar device to monitor natural gas usage?

[@theRichardHarrison]

You say it's "the best energy monitor out there" but what other monitors have you reviewed?

[@chargeeverywhere]

Point taken. I have reviewed the Neurio, which is far inferior to the Sense. Knowing the energy monitor market, I would say the only device that seems to compare with Sense is Smappee. I would love to get my hands on one of those one of these days to compare. Sense’s passion for their device means they are continually updating and improving their software. Also, their integrations with Philips Hue and smart plugs are very well done and really give them some unique features.

[@irko101]

I can tell you from hands on experience in talking with our electrical engineers and being able to use majority of the energy monitors available (Nurieo, curb, sampee,) sense is hands down the best one out there. I run a solar and storage contracting firm, and deal with these devices and their data very frequently.

[@ArthurRodriguez]

Thanks for the review. I just opened my SCE bill and compared my usage to my neighbors.....not good. I want a device to monitor usage and this looks like it might work. My Alexa is telling me that the "Sense" app is no longer available with Alexa. Any truth to that??? Thanks again!

[@chargeeverywhere]

Glad to hear you found it helpful. I just searched for Sense under Alexa skills and it showed up. Honestly, I only really used Alexa to try if it worked. Most of the time I’m using the phone app. I really love the Sense though! Between my Nest, Hue bulbs and Sense, the Sense feels like the “smartest” device.

[@ddelwood]

I have 2 breaker-boxes on my home. I assume there is a common electrical source, but would i need to have 2 "senses"?

[@chargeeverywhere]

You probably don’t. Most likely the one box feeds the second-in which case you simply connected it to the primary. This was actually the same situation I had. The Sense will detect everything downstream of it, which includes the second box.

[@meoffnm]

You would not need to have two. Just one at your main panel where the power from the street/pole makes entry into the home. Nothing at your sub panel.

[@next3884]

Hi, I have a 6 floor resident, do you think this product is suitable or what would you recommend?

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks for the comment. Sense works for up to 200A service. This would cover most houses in North America, but a 6 floor residence?! Or is this for a resident on the 6th floor?

[@amitadhikaree7524]

Does this product work for 3 phase 4 wire connection? We use a big industrial robot requiring 3 phase 4 wire connection and want to measure the electricity usage. I saw just two clamps.

[@chargeeverywhere]

As far as I know it’s only good for two phase, but you could reach out to Sense directly. They are very helpful and responsive in my experience!

[@panosips]

Hello. is this unit works in Europe?

[@Kanok_C]

Good review. Too bad Sense cannot be used outside USA. Hopefully it will be available for 230V single phase soon.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! The more I use this thing the more I like it and the more useful it becomes. I hope the rest of you all can get it soon!

[@luongmaihunggia]

I actually have a way to work around that and it might work, I'll make a video on it when I have enough money to buy sense monitor.

[@chargeeverywhere]

I’d be interested in seeing this. I feel like it might be possible as Sense is powered off a 220V breaker and is monitoring the two 110V phases into the house. The frequency is probably the biggest issue - and 60hz would be what all of the AI models are based on. Now if you could convert the 50hz to 60?

[@cypherix93]

This video made me buy the damn thing. Hopefully it's as good an experience for me.

[@StefaanVanDamme]

How did it go? Debating to get one.

[@kbeast98]

Haa sold me on it too. Was hoping the panel installation was a bit more detailed though. Don't want to kill mysrlf but really don't want to hire an electrician either

[@pinkladyht]

We are having the worst time with our electric department, we believe they are falsifying our electric bills and it's to the point we can't pay it and we are afraid to turn lights on and wash our clothes. I've been looking for a way to monitor their calculations. Would this be something I should look into purchasing and do you still use it currently?

[@chargeeverywhere]

This would be an excellent way to double check your utility! I find that what the Sense tells me is very close to my bill - within a handful of kWh. If your electric utility is correct, the Sense may help show you what is using all the electric. Yes, I am still using it and if anything it has improved since I made this review! Good luck.

[@UndecidedMF]

Great review!

[@ir.khaiamrey8656]

Can it apply at any country such as singapore?

[@chargeeverywhere]

Currently I don’t believe Sense works in countries other than the US. If you reach out to them they really are a great group and would probably like to hear that there is interested from the other side of the world. There is a similar monitor out of Europe that should work in Singapore.

[@baileymoto]

So, did you really use an electrician for install? Looks more or less dummy proof, if the mains are turned off, no?

[@IgorDenilli]

And where did you installed the sensors?

[@chargeeverywhere]

They clip around the two 110V phases (conductors) after they enter the circuit breaker box and before they attach to their respective bus bars. Very easy to install, but best left to a licensed electrician.

[@offgridwanabe]

Does it know what solar netmetering is?

[@chargeeverywhere]

I’m not sure about net metering, but you can sub meter your solar panels. Unfortunately, I don’t have panels. I believe Matt Ferrell kzbin.info has solar panels and he also has a really good Sense review.

[@offgridwanabe]

@@chargeeverywhere Thanks for the link

[@dccandmlc]

If I don't have a smart phone, can I track on my PC?

[@chargeeverywhere]

You can. The phone (and tablet) interface is where Sense dedicates most of their effort, but the web interface has virtually all of the same features, which means you can use it very effectively from any PC.

[@ageranger1541]

Nice review, Thx

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks James!

[@MicheleTurcoTube]

Will this work in Italy ? we are in a 240v on one main.

[@chargeeverywhere]

I believe it only works in the US right now. There is one other company, Smappee, which claims to offer a similar product for a more international market. I haven’t reviewed their monitor though so I can’t speak to it’s full capabilities.

[@samohtsolacad229]

Do I need permission from either my utility or solar leasee to install this device?

[@chargeeverywhere]

No you shouldn’t.

[@mdslax0172]

Your utility provider only owns the supply to the meter and the meter itself. From the meter base coming into your home is owned by homeowner. No permission is needed

[@vapedoc]

How easy was it to install? Did you a electrician?

[@chargeeverywhere]

If you know what's going on in your breaker box it's not very difficult to install. In other words, if you're comfortable adding and removing breakers and their associated wiring this isn't much more complex or dangerous. That being said, Sense does recommend you use a licensed electrician - a rule I may have broken.

[@NativeEarthlingAI]

Hire an Electrician.

[@BaoHoangCKG]

lol this dude wears a same shirt for 60 days

[@xXZ31t6esTXx]

I hope you play spiderman again

[@dougspindler4947]

DON"T BUY - I just purchased a Sense only to learn from Alex in Sense's teach support department they are advertising features the software is suppose to have isn't in the software yet. And he doesn't have any idea when the functionally is going to be added. In the product description it states one can "Measure power consumption in dollars and cents to see exactly how much particular devices are costing you." Yes you can with a accuracy of plus or minus over 400 percent. How can they call that exact? I would call it a lie.

[@Phelper99]

Mel Gibson minus 50 years... No offense, from a guy named Michael Phelps.

[@luisc5500]

not so intresting that i would pay 300 for a box that i would probably use 1 or 2 times a month maby 30 or 60 but 300 hell no

[@bird_watcher981]

The box says that electricity travels at the speed of light. Not true, it travels near the speed of light.

[@mitchdenner9743]

Sounds buggy to me, cant tell the difference between my toaster and another appliance? I'll pass.

[@jasperpipes4222]

At 2:26 you just accepted terms and conditions that you didn't even read ! WOW You just signed up for having all your usage data monitored and that data sold on for targeted marketing.

[@firemedic726]

Jasper Pipes so what

[@CaptainCocaine]

By saying he installed his Sense? WTF?

[@HikageMaru]

One of the quotations on the side of the box is wrong. Electricity does not travel at the speed of light.

[@greglara62]

But...$300 for this?

[@george5120]

I stopped listening, as soon as I realized this is one of those KZbin videos that has irrelevant music in the background. So annoying.

[@sealy81]

Booooooring

[@001looker]

No one needs this garbage. I use as much as electricity as humanly possible

[@unvcht5046]

You are in the gay ?

[@CaptainCocaine]

Bro, you've been wearing the same shirt for 60 days? Gross. Go take a shower.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Haha. It’s called buying a 5 pack of black and dark grey t-shirts. Simplifies your morning routine.

[@luisc5500]

yes 300 is way to much lol the reason y you want that is to save money not saving money if you pay 300 lol

[@shaunmadness]

as a homeowner who potentially could be wasting $ easily, it's not a horrible price. Simply running your washer/dryer/dishwasher at low-cost times could save you maybe $10 a month. 30 months and it pays for itself. I say $10 because I live in a high-cost electrical area. 2am vs 2pm could be the difference between 10-30 cents an hour.

[@Mretinum]

Good job, I appreciate the review.

[@chargeeverywhere]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful.