Until recently it was very difficult to get the data from the sensors to a useful place. Wireless networks and common always on internet connections have changed that.
I wouldn't bet on it too soon. When I was involved in the home automation industry back in the mid/late 90's it seemed like that sort of thing was imminent.
Invensys and CutlerHammer both had power-monitoring devices, electric meters and so on (I still have some CH power monitoring sensors on the main power lines at my house with a system that I put together that tracks KwH, heating oil consumption and a few other metrics).
Anyway... I haven't really seen those products move an inch in the last dozen years (other than press releases).
While I do believe that the real-time feedback is helpful, I also more strongly believe that people who really want to cut their power usage will do so by simply turning more things off or using things less. For the most part, a monthly feedback cycle isn't really THAT long. In some cases the month-long feedback loop let's you measure a more cumulative effect in dollars instead of cents.
I also think that automation has been imminent for long enough to be suspect.
But people responding to feedback is not something to just dismiss. Monthly isn't the same as on demand which isn't the same as "out in the open." If sockets changed colour from blue to red as the burned electricity, consumption would go down.
Measuring power at the meter is nice, but I'm wanting to measure the power per circuit in the house. Given how small electronics have gotten, I've been wondering if it's possible to put a simple monitor in a circuit breaker. It would make it easier to narrow down the power hungry devices in the home.
Installed cost for these home automation solutions quickly tends to exceed $1000 making them impractical as a cost saver. The sensor costs are suddenly dropping as competition heats up.
Hopefully innovative, web enabled solutions from fast moving startups re-invigorate this sector. I'd sure love to.
Extremely likely. There are good chances that in 30 years most houses are as automated as our off-grid house on Great Barrier Island and come with power monitoring as standard.
