I have also posted this under the special pricing brultech thread, but thought it deserved its own thread for several reasons. First, this unit is not available yet and may not be available at a discount for Cocoontech members. Hopefully it will be, but until then, it doesn't really belong in that thread. Secondly, the unit has so many new features, that it deserves its own thread to be able to discuss them without confusing the other thread.
There seems to be a new version of the energy monitor coming out sometime in 2009. The new ECM-1240 monitors the main loads on a panel, but will also monitor up to five "sub loads."
It also looks like you can use channel 2 to monitor wind or solar power GENERATION on your system.
It also looks like you can track water and gas usage via pulse counts if you meter allows that
And finally...
This is pretty exciting IMHO and is more of what I was hoping for when I think about power monitoring. I didn't buy the original unit because I felt it lacked some needed features that the new unit seems to be capable of. I'm really looking forward to being able to monitor some of the smaller energy using devices in my house in addition to the total energy used. It will allow me to see exactly how much energy the heating system is using and how much of the total bill that represents, etc. This will allow people to better manage their energy use and hopefully be able to lower their total energy use with some modifications in life style.
So my question for Brultech is when do you expect the new units to be available and at what price? Would it possible to have a discount for Cocoontech users on the new model as well? (I've actually PMed Paul with these questions. I also sent an e-mail to [email protected] asking them about availability and initial pricing as well).
I'm really looking forward to the new model!
Thanks,
There seems to be a new version of the energy monitor coming out sometime in 2009. The new ECM-1240 monitors the main loads on a panel, but will also monitor up to five "sub loads."
The new ECM-1240 has the ability to not only track the real-time energy consumption of your entire home, but also simultaneously track and analyze the cost impact of several household loads.
All of this information is easily viewable on a connected computer or optionally via the internet.
Imagine being able to accurately track the consumption of:
Entire house panel (CH1)
Central Air unit (CH2)
Clothes Dryer (Aux1)
Electric Range (Aux2)
Water Heater (Aux3)
Spa (Aux4)
The software can then show what percentage of your bill is affected by these various large loads.
This is only one of thousands of possible scenarios.
It also looks like you can use channel 2 to monitor wind or solar power GENERATION on your system.
Wind and Solar Power Producers:
Consider the monitoring scenario described above. Now use CH2 for your grid-tied inverter to monitor the energy generated.
The NET-Metering capability of the ECM-1240 will allow you to record the amount of power returned to the grid, amount of energy used and the net difference, along with the four additional monitored loads.
It also looks like you can track water and gas usage via pulse counts if you meter allows that
Additional capabilities include using Aux1 or Aux2 to record the pulse count from a gas or water meter equipped with a pulse output.
And finally...
Any of the Aux inputs may also be used to monitor a DC voltage from various environmental sensors.
This is pretty exciting IMHO and is more of what I was hoping for when I think about power monitoring. I didn't buy the original unit because I felt it lacked some needed features that the new unit seems to be capable of. I'm really looking forward to being able to monitor some of the smaller energy using devices in my house in addition to the total energy used. It will allow me to see exactly how much energy the heating system is using and how much of the total bill that represents, etc. This will allow people to better manage their energy use and hopefully be able to lower their total energy use with some modifications in life style.
So my question for Brultech is when do you expect the new units to be available and at what price? Would it possible to have a discount for Cocoontech users on the new model as well? (I've actually PMed Paul with these questions. I also sent an e-mail to [email protected] asking them about availability and initial pricing as well).
I'm really looking forward to the new model!
Thanks,