Energy monitoring software can save the planet

INSTALLING digital tools in people’s homes, that allow them to closely monitor and adjust their electricity use, lowers their monthly bills.

A US government study installed software into punter’s computers and showed them how they were wasting energy.

The tools allowed them to control temperature and price preferences.

The study found that by giving them the software, their average 'lecky bill dropped by 15 per cent.

Over 20 years this could save the US $70 billion on spending for power plants and infrastructure, and avoid the need to build the equivalent of 30 large coal-fired plants, fuel bean counters reckon.

According to the New York Times the test revealed a bit about how users approach energy saving. If they are shown what is costing them energy they will try and turn it off.

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