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Emporia Vue Energy Monitor Review: A Smart and Affordable Way to Monitor Your Home’s Energy Use

If you are looking for a way to monitor your home’s energy use, save money on your electricity bill, and reduce your carbon footprint, you might want to consider the Emporia Vue Energy Monitor. This device is a smart and affordable solution that lets you see how much electricity your home is using in real time, as well as how much energy your solar panels are generating and sending back to the grid. You can also monitor individual circuits and appliances with the help of 50A sensors that attach to your electrical panel. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Emporia Vue Energy Monitor, and help you decide if it is right for you.

What is the Emporia Vue Energy Monitor?

The Emporia Vue Energy Monitor is a device that installs in your home’s electrical panel and connects to your Wi-Fi network. It uses current transformer (CT) sensor clamps that go around your main service wires and measure the current flowing through them. The Vue then sends this data to the Emporia app on your smartphone or tablet, where you can see your real-time and historical energy use, as well as your solar generation and net metering. You can also set up alerts and notifications to help you save energy and money.

The Vue comes with two 200A main sensors that can monitor single-phase, split-phase, or three-phase systems up to 415Y/240VAC. You can also add up to 16 individual 50A sensors to monitor specific circuits or appliances, such as your air conditioner, furnace, water heater, washer, dryer, range, etc. These sensors are sold separately or in bundles with the Vue. The Vue also supports solar net metering, which means you can see how much electricity you are consuming from the grid and how much excess energy you are producing with your solar panels and sending back to the grid. This can help you optimize your solar system and maximize your savings.

What are the benefits of the Emporia Vue Energy Monitor?

The Emporia Vue Energy Monitor offers several benefits for homeowners who want to monitor their energy use and save money. Some of these benefits are:

  • Real-time and historical data: You can see how much electricity your home is using at any given moment, as well as how it changes over time. You can also see how much energy your solar panels are generating and how much you are exporting to the grid. You can view this data in the app or on the web dashboard, and export it to CSV files for further analysis.
  • Individual circuit and appliance monitoring: You can monitor up to 16 individual circuits or appliances with the 50A sensors, and see how much energy they use and when they are on or off. This can help you identify energy hogs, faulty equipment, or vampire loads that waste energy when not in use. You can also set up alerts and notifications to remind you to turn off or unplug devices that are not needed.
  • Solar net metering: You can see how much electricity you are consuming from the grid and how much excess energy you are producing with your solar panels and sending back to the grid. This can help you optimize your solar system and maximize your savings. You can also see how your solar production and consumption vary throughout the day and the year, and how they affect your net metering credits or charges.
  • Actionable insights and tips: The Emporia app provides you with actionable insights and tips to help you save energy and money. You can see how your energy use compares to similar homes in your area, and get personalized recommendations on how to reduce your consumption and improve your efficiency. You can also set goals and track your progress over time.
  • Easy installation and setup: The Emporia Vue Energy Monitor is designed to be installed by a professional electrician or a qualified DIYer. The installation process involves opening your electrical panel, attaching the sensor clamps to your main service wires and the circuits you want to monitor, and connecting the Vue to your Wi-Fi network. The Emporia app guides you through the setup and calibration process, and helps you identify and label your circuits and appliances.
  • Affordable price and warranty: The Emporia Vue Energy Monitor is one of the most affordable energy monitors on the market, with a base price of $99.99 for the Vue with two 200A main sensors. The 50A sensors cost $9.99 each, or you can buy them in bundles with the Vue for a discounted price. The Vue also comes with a one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.

What are the drawbacks of the Emporia Vue Energy Monitor?

The Emporia Vue Energy Monitor is not a perfect device, and it has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying it. Some of these drawbacks are:

  • Requires Wi-Fi and internet connection: The Vue relies on your Wi-Fi network and internet connection to send and receive data. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak or unstable, or if your internet service is down, you will not be able to access your energy data or receive alerts and notifications. You will also need to have a compatible router and smartphone or tablet to use the Vue.
  • Limited data retention and resolution: The Vue collects and stores energy data at different resolutions and durations. The highest resolution is one second, but this data is only available in the app when it is actively open, and it is retained for only three hours. The next resolution is one minute, which is retained for seven days. The lowest resolution is one hour, which is retained indefinitely. You can export your data to CSV files, but you will need to do it manually and frequently if you want to keep your high-resolution data.
  • Potential safety and compatibility issues: The Vue involves working with high-voltage electricity, which can be dangerous if not done properly. Emporia recommends that the installation be performed by a licensed electrician or a qualified professional. The Vue is also designed for field installation in a switch enclosure as per 312.8(B) of the 2017 NEC regarding Power Monitoring Equipment. This means that the Vue may not fit in some electrical panels, or it may violate some local codes or regulations. You should check with your local authorities before installing the Vue. Additionally, the Vue may not work with some types of electrical systems, such as Delta or corner-grounded systems. You should also check the compatibility of the Vue with your system before buying it.

Conclusion

The Emporia Vue Energy Monitor is a smart and affordable device that lets you monitor your home’s energy use and solar generation in real time. It can help you save money on your electricity bill, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve your home’s efficiency and safety. It can also monitor individual circuits and appliances, and provide you with actionable insights and tips. However, the Vue also has some drawbacks, such as requiring Wi-Fi and internet connection, having limited data retention and resolution, and potentially causing safety and compatibility issues. You should weigh the pros and cons of the Vue before buying it, and consult with a professional electrician or a qualified DIYer before installing it.

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