
Users of Microsoft's Hohm energy management software can now access real-time meter readings from anywhere with a wireless signal. The company has partnered up with Blue Line Innovations, which will provide a wireless sensor that links your meter to your Hohm account.
While the online Hohm service has been free, the Blue Line upgrade will cost extra. It's $250 for the package, which includes the sensor that mounts to the meter, a wireless in-home energy monitoring device and a WiFi gateway. But the benefits include being able to see energy usage data in real-time and make adjustments, like turning off lights or electronics, if needed.
Before now, users could monitor their energy use only through analyzing past data provided by their utilities or by manually entering information from energy bills. This upgrade will likely show the true value of energy management software: the ability to instantly see the impact of your energy use, at any time, any where.
The only downer is that while Hohm has been accessible by any browser or operating system, the upgrade will only work with a Windows machine.
via TechFlash

written by Wouter, July 28, 2010
Prices of the hardware needed are less then $10,-! Maybe just built the Blue Line yourself?
written by Mike, July 29, 2010
This technology might work if the electricity authorities/companies included this capability in their standard metering equipment and provided a web interface to the customer's data from a the electricity company's server.
written by Doc Rings, July 30, 2010
Before you buy the Microsoft package, I'd call your electric company and see if they plan any smart meter installs that might render the Hohm meter reader "moot".
written by Elemental LED staff, August 02, 2010
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Elliott Lemenager – Microsoft Hohm Community Manager