Energy Circle, a home energy efficiency family-owned business whose staff all test and use the products they sell in their own homes, have hacked one of their best selling devices, The Energy Detective (TED for short) to be able to share with the world the exact energy use of the CEO's house (a family of four) via their website and on Twitter starting on Earth Day, with regular updates about what the data means, giving it real world relevance to you and me.

I don't know about you but I think that takes the Truman Show idea to a whole other level

The Energy Detective is a device that monitors the energy use, down to each appliance, and doesn't cost tons, making it more likely to be used by a broader segment of the population.

They're doing this public experiment because they believe measurement is the first step to making your home more energy efficient, and that they, as a family, will be motivated by the data being public.

That's what I call accountability!

And I hear they'll be getting the kids in on this, with a financial incentive on the money saved from helping make the house more energy efficient!

Rather than having some perfect uber green house, their house is prototypical American construction--80's with a 90's addition. Lots of building envelope flaws and air leaks. They've had an energy audit done, have made a lot of progress in some areas--CFL's and LED's, low flow showers. But they have lots to do, and they'll make their house an example.

As they put it, The Energy Detective is "...a real-time home electricity monitor that is the equivalent of a digital stethoscope." When you're aware of your usage patterns and which thing uses how much, you can then make smarter choices, a knowledgeable base to start from. This video on installing it makes it look so easy, my husband could do it:

While things like Google Power Meter are coming at some point, perhaps this year, or next, Energy Circle is interested in bringing the public several "right now" options to be able to take an active hand in making better choices when it comes to their house energy use, and making it as doable as possible for anyone, regardless of skill level.

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