Gadgets that can green your home

Across the capital, electricity cables in homes have begun sprouting odd plastic bulges, and flashing lights are appearing in power cupboards.

The tiny power meter gadget clips over the main power cable going into your home, and monitors how much electricity is being used.

It then transmits this information to an internet server or to a small display in your kitchen or living room. Turn a light on, and it is reflected in the data, showing a spike.

Some even allow you to "log in" to your house from a computer or mobile phone and can automatically email or text you if too much power is being used.

Experts say it's an incredible motivator for cutting consumption — an important issue when heating and power for UK homes account for 27 per cent of our carbon footprint.

"Most people have absolutely no idea how much power they use at home, or how much money they spend on energy," says Ben Castle, of the Energy Saving Trust. "Having a display in your kitchen can make a real difference."

However, he admits the technology is still at an early stage, and that the most exciting applications — hooking your house up to the internet to monitor and control its power — is only just becoming a reality.

Earlier this month Google announced plans to store data from home power monitors on its server.

This means you can log into your home from anywhere with an internet connection and see just how much power it is using.

In the UK, Google's service is available from a firm called AlertMe.

It costs £69 for the power meter clip and a control box which plugs into a home broadband connection. The service also charges a £2.99 per month subscription fee.

The firm even offers individual plug monitors so you can see how much each appliance is using.
Crucially, the gadget could also save you money.

Jens Redmer, director for business development at Google, say testers in California highlighted pool pumps they hadn't used for years but that were draining energy, and one woman who saved her apartment from fire by detecting a burning toaster while at work and alerting a neighbour.

"Many consumers feel they can't protect themselves from rising energy costs or do anything to stop climate change," said Pilgrim Beart of AlertMe.

"Our partnership with Google puts your home energy consumption right in front of you every time you go online."