Plugged Appliance Monitoring

While your whole-of-house sensor tracks total energy flow, the Powersensor WiFi Plug allows you to isolate the specific energy draw of individual appliances. By monitoring these appliances directly, you can identify high draw or inefficient devices, hidden "vampire loads" of appliances in standby mode, and determine which appliances are the most cost-effective to run during off-peak periods or during the day if you have solar.

Primary Appliances for Impactful Energy Monitoring

To get the most value from your WiFi Plug, focus on appliances that have high power draw or run for extended periods. These "heavy hitters" offer the greatest opportunity for cost reduction:

• Refrigerators and Freezers: As 24/7 appliances, these represent a constant "baseload." Monitoring them helps you identify if a cooling unit is cycling too frequently or if the seals are failing.
• Washing Machines and Clothes Dryers: These units use significant energy for heating water and air. Monitoring them allows you to compare the actual cost difference between "Eco" modes and "Heavy Duty" cycles.
• Dishwashers: Tracking a full cycle helps you understand the energy spike during the drying phase, allowing you to decide if "Air Dry" settings are a viable saving strategy for your household.
   

Performing a Rotational Energy Audit of Your Home

You can maximise the utility of a single WiFi Plug by moving it between different appliances to perform a "home energy audit." This method helps you build a comprehensive profile of your household's consumption:

1. Monitor for a Full Cycle: For appliances like washing machines, monitor 3–5 different load types to find the most efficient setting.
2. Relocate and Rename: Once you have a baseline for one appliance, move the plug to a new device.
3. Update App Settings: Ensure you update the appliance name within the Powersensor App each time you move the plug so your historical data remains organized and accurate.
    

Note: When rotating plugs, please ensure that each sensor in your home has at least 1 plug installed within a 10 meter range for bluetooth communication. For more information please see our Help Centre article How close does the Powersensor plug need to be to the sensor(s)?
 

Safety Guidelines and Incompatible Devices

To ensure the longevity of your hardware and the safety of your home circuits, please observe the following restrictions for the WiFi Plug:

• Single Device Limit: Avoid connecting power boards or "double adapters" to the WiFi Plug. Overloading the plug can exceed its rated amperage and pose a fire risk.
• Critical Medical Equipment: We do not recommend using the WiFi Plug with medical equipment.
• High-Capacity Dedicated Loads: If an appliance (like a large commercial heater) requires more than 10A of current, it should not be used with the standard WiFi Plug.