Microsoft has a new home software program that will help consumers monitor their energy use and get ready to participate in the smart grid.John Brandon at PopSci.com reports:
"Microsoft has announced Hohm (which telescopes home into ohm), a new Web-based service for keeping an eye on your smart grid. The beta for the service goes live next week; users can sign up to access the service at microsoft-hohm.com. With Hohm, consumers can see how they are currently using energy in their home, and then, if necessary, change their routine based on what Hohm shows them. A recommendation system shows how you can reduce energy with certain appliances and devices. For example, you might see that using a washing machine at night would save money over daytime use. Historical data is available too, to show energy usage from previous months and years, with easy-to-read bar charts. There's also a trend engine to compare appliances, lighting, and power use for electronics in your home." See full article.
