14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s ambitions project designed to help customers conserve energy and save money is growing with the introduction of a real-time power data monitor. The Redmond company has inked a deal with Blue Line Innovations, the first available device partnership for Microsoft Hohm in fact, enabling users of its free Cloud-based application to kick their energy conservation efforts up a notch. Seamlessly integrating with Microsoft Hohm, Blue Line’s energy tracking device offers consumers real-time information about their energy use in comprehensive “packages,” including graphs, streamlining the process of making their households as green as possible.
“With a utility bill you may only see your energy usage once every month or even every two months,” revealed Troy Batterberry, product unit manager for Microsoft Hohm. “The Blue Line PowerCost Monitor and WiFi Gateway provide updates every 30 seconds, so you’re getting real-time data so you can take real-time action. It’s kind of like online banking for your energy bill, offering 24x7 access to your usage.”
One of the best aspects of going green involves saving money on the energy conserved. Users can leverage the Blue Line PowerCost Monitor which needs to be attached to a household power utility meter; together with a WiFi Gateway device. Data collected by the monitor is sent wirelessly to Microsoft Hohm, and stored in the consumer’s account. In this regard, Hohm users can easily benefit from personalized energy recommendations from the Redmond company’s service.
“Our goal with Microsoft Hohm is to give consumers information that can help them make smarter decisions to control and manage their energy use. We see this collaboration with Blue Line as a first step toward achieving that goal,” Batterberry added.
Blue Line Innovations is already selling the devices capable of performing real-time household energy monitoring. According to the software giant, customers can either choose to buy the complete package containing both the PowerCost Monitor and WiFi Gateway for $249. The devices are also sold separately, and inthis case the WiFi Gateway comes with a price tag of $159.