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Appliance specific power meters?
NeoBlackdog
Member Posts: 17,243 ✭✭✭✭
Anyone have a recommendation for a meter that I can tie into the circuit to my hot water heater(s) so I can see just how much power they're using? We're thinking about upgrading to one of the hybrid heat pump type water heaters so I want to know how much the current system is using so I can try to calculate the payoff time for a new heater. They ain't cheap!
Comments
For 110v yes. From amzon
For 220/240, not that I'm aware of.
What about a 220 meter for an rv? You'd have to pig tail the water heater to plug it in tho,,,
What might work to give you a ballpark figure;
Go write down the numbers on your meter now. Then run hot water to cycle the heater. Watch meter and record numbers. Figure differ ence.
You could also turn off breaker to heater, run hot water till it runs cold. Record meter readings and turn on breaker. At end of recovery cycle, record meter readings.
Home Depot has a Smart Energy Monitor by Siemens for $255.00 that has a number of clamp on amp meters that record and display on your phone. Tried to link it but failed miserably.
Brad Steele
Are you wanting to record the usage or just see the amp draw?
Recording it will be expensive.
A simple amprobe would show you the amp draw of what you have now.
That looks like quite a set up!
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens-Inhab-Smart-Home-Energy-Monitor-INHEM1216/329688157#overlay
Might be a bit more than I need , but it would certainly give me the info I'm looking for.
I'd like to know what portion of my KwH per month is going to heating water.
Neo........
Hard question to answer.
Yes........you'd have to put a recording watt-hour meter on each water heater….…..but, then things get a bit complicated.
Varying hot water usage......water heater temperature setting.......cold water intake temperature variation, due seasonal ground temperature changes........hot/cold water mixing ratio changes..…etc.
Hey......in the future.....utility companies may even start adding a demand charge for residential usage, like they already do to commercial users.
Tough call........
Hope this helps.
Just use a clamp on amp meter.
Call your electricity provider. I can get an app on my phone that tells me how much I am using 24/7.
A lot of good advice, but from my last few years of experience just about everything that is more energy efficient has a shorter life. To get the efficiency they make the motor, processor, etc. smaller and over clock.
Come up with anything??
Not yet. I usually research these things to death so it might be a while!
No fault there,
Just use a clamp on amp meter.
^^^THIS—we used one yesterday chasing a 'leaking' wire on the combine. Answered a lot of questions w/o much effort.
I believe he is looking to record energy usage over a given amount of time, say a month.
I already know it's using power and can read the label to know it's amperage. I want to know what % of my monthly bill is going into heating water. I want an exact number as to how many KwH's it's using per month.
A power consumption meter would have to be wired between your box and the heater. Probably around 200.00. Pass through apartment meter 120.00 Amazon.
Sounds like a well grounded approach, Neo.
Brad Steele
I recommend the Emporia system. I use their EV charger at home, it builds metrics can start/stop the charging, etc and they should make what you’re looking for as well.
You can tailor your purchase to your needs.
"well grounded"… Was that an intentional electricity joke or did it just turn out that way?