PowerMeter vs. Holm

[Guest PurpleSocks]

Google PowerMeter

 

How much does it cost to leave your TV on all day? What about turning your air conditioning 1 degree cooler? Which uses more power every month — your dishwasher or your washing machine? Is your household more or less energy efficient than similar homes in your neighborhood?

 

Its nearly impossible to make informed choices about electricity. This is a problem but also a huge opportunity for us all to save money and help the environment by reducing our power usage. Studies show that access to your household's personal energy information is likely to save you 5–15% on your monthly bill. Even greater savings are possible if you use this information to see the value of retiring your old refrigerator, installing a new air conditioner or insulating your home. The potential impact of large numbers of people achieving similar efficiencies is even more exciting. For every six households that save 10% on electricity, for instance, we reduce carbon emissions as much as taking one conventional car off the road (see sources and calculation).

 

At Google we're helping enable a future where access to personal electricity information helps everyone make smarter energy choices. Google PowerMeter shows consumers their electricity consumption in a secure Google gadget. Today we are testing the product with utility partners in the US, India, Germany, and Canada.

 

We think Google PowerMeter offers more useful and actionable feedback than complicated monthly paper bills that provide little detail on consumption or how to save energy. But Google PowerMeter is just a start; it will take a lot of different groups working together to create what the world really needs: a path to smarter power.

 

http://www.google.org/powermeter/

 

Microsoft Holm

 

Microsoft launched a Web service that allows consumers to track their home energy usage and offers ways to help them reduce power consumption.

 

The online app, called as “Holm”, relies on an advanced analytics engine to generate money-saving ideas and feedbacks, based on the information consumers provide.

 

According to the company, the app demonstrates how a combination of advanced software and Internet-based services can help people track, understand, and manage their personal energy usage. It is designed to receive data inputs directly from energy companies smart meters.

 

For the app, Microsoft has partnered with Puget Sound Energy, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Seattle City Light, and Xcel Energy to create compatible offerings.

[JT Allen]

Is this app. "up and running" or is it still in "beta testing?" Do you know when it will be available for the general public's consumption? (pardon the lame pun ...)