So
the first question is going to be what is a GEM and what will it do for me? The
GEM is a 32- Channel Energy Monitor system, that indicates true Watt or
Kilowatts, and Kilowatt Hours, as measured from Current Transformers installed
in your electric panel. It can also monitor 4 - Pulse Count Inputs for
something like a gas or water meter, and can monitor up to 8 - temperature
sensors.
My
GEM communicates with a server in Australia called "SMARTENERGYgroups.com"
once every 30 seconds it sends a short stream that indicates the status of all
sensors attached to it. Using my Web Browser or iPad or iPhone, I can connect
to the Server and see what is using energy in my home. The
SmartEnergyGroups.com dashboards are iPad friendly using a browser so really no
app is required. The following are examples of some of the gadgets from my
dashboard:
What's On Now and Heat Map
Main Circuit Usage
Branch Circuit usage
The
Installation was fairly straight forward. I was once an electrician, so had no
problems installing the Current Transformers into the electric panel. I would
recommend you have an electrician do this part for you if you are not
experienced in this area. This is a picture of the panel with the CT's
installed. The 200 and 100 amp CT's split so you can slip them around the
wires, the 40CT's require you remove each wire from the circuit breaker and slip
the CT over it.
The
GEM has a communications board at the top and the sensor board with the 32
zones:
The
GEM can connect to a PC via the WiFi, or Ethernet. There is also a handy
Network Utility to help you identify the GEM on your home network.
I
purchased my GEM direct from Brultech Research at www.Brultech.com. (a Canada
Company) Their support was helpful when I contacted them about a question on
communications.
What
have I learned so far? Well I learned that working at home, and having
computers and servers as a hobby can cost lots of $$. So far 39% of my electric
consumption goes to power my UPS and 24TB Server in the basement. Also 25% goes
to power my office, a few computers on all day, and 7.9% powers my 84 bottle
wine cooler! I was surprised to see how efficient the LED lighting is around
the property. I run 21 outdoor lamps in the evening and it is barely noticeable
in the overall power used.
So far so good, it has been working for about three weeks.
I
am going to use the information I learn to tweak my usage patterns to reduce my
overall electric usage. As an example; I may upgrade my Server to something
more efficient, and convert to a Gas Dryer. Now that I can actually see what is
using the power I can better manage it.
UPDATE: I have made many changes since this post - See http://thingsnotleftunsaid.blogspot.com/2015/03/follow-up-modifications-to-gem.html
Agree fully with your statement that "now that I can actually see what is using the power I can better manage it". We installed our GEM about 2 years ago as a DIY project. The hardest part for me was working in the electrical panel getting the current transducers over the main (L1 and L2) wires. That scared the crap out of me. I should have hired an electrician as you suggest!!!. Working on the branch circuits was way less scary because I could kill the main breaker. Getting the GEM set up and communicating was pretty straight forward - I just really had to pay very close attention to the instructions. I report my data to the same site in Australia - I found getting that working pretty straight forward. Overall I am glad I made the investment in the system. It has caused us to really think about our energy use.
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