As many of you have noticed, the cost of energy has increased with electricity providers increasing our bills by up to 25% in many instances. Within the next few years the cost of energy will continue to increase as the providers are challenged to provide consistent power to homes especially during times of demand.

With an increased population and a need for new residential living, satellite suburbs are being developed with large energy loads due to modern conveniences such as air conditioning and heating. An increase in multi-residential living closer to our cities is seeing older, single dwelling homes being demolished for multiple townhouses or apartments that in many cases increases the energy demand by 5-10 times or more.

Energy providers have made it no secret of plans for the roll-out of smart energy meters that allow monitoring of individual usage in real time. This allows great power to the providers as they will be able to identify areas that create usage spikes and relocate resources where they are most required. Variable tariffs will come into play that will provide residents with the option of using energy in high demand time for an additional cost.

Manufacturers are beginning to integrate network connections of major appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines and clothes dryers that will provide users with the smarts to only use them at lower tariff times. Cynics will claim that energy providers will ultimately be able to limit usage of high consumption appliances during times of high demand.

A possible example of such use might be the use of air conditioner being limited on very hot days with an energy provider cutting power to that appliances for a small period of time over particular areas of their power grid. Together with ’smart’ appliances, residents could be provided with energy management interfaces allowing them to view their usage and compare it with their own history. Energy usage could then be monitored allowing users to identify exactly what power circuits and appliances are using energy at any given time throughout their home.

Energy management monitoring systems are available today with home owners able to take full advantage of installing infrastructures that allow them to be empowered now and into the future by controlling their energy usage. With accurate, up-to-date data information, home owners and residents can finally know when, who and what is consuming the most energy without making assumptions or guesses.