Sense
PaidHome energy monitoring system that installs in your electrical panel to track real-time energy usage, identify devices, set goals, and find ways to reduce consumption.
What does this tool do?
Sense is a hardware-software system that monitors residential energy consumption in real-time by installing a monitor in your electrical panel. The core offering includes device-level energy tracking—the system uses machine learning to identify which appliances are drawing power and when—paired with a mobile app (iOS/Android) that displays consumption patterns and provides recommendations for reducing usage. Beyond homeowners, Sense operates a B2B division serving utilities with grid-edge intelligence embedded in smart meters (AMI 2.0), helping utilities manage demand response and grid reliability. The company claims 4-8% average annual energy savings for residential users and positions itself as a bridge between consumer energy awareness and grid-scale optimization, though the specific mechanics of how their machine learning identifies devices versus requiring manual configuration isn't detailed on the homepage.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Real-time energy consumption monitoring at appliance level via hardware monitor installed in electrical panel
- Machine learning-based device identification that recognizes individual appliances and their power draw patterns
- Mobile app (iOS/Android) displaying current usage, historical trends, and carbon footprint metrics
- Energy savings goals and recommendations engine to guide behavioral changes
- Utility-grade grid edge software embedded in smart meters for demand response and grid reliability management
- API and partnership framework for embedding Sense intelligence into third-party smart meter hardware (AMI 2.0)
Use Cases
- 1Homeowners seeking to lower electricity bills by identifying energy-hungry appliances and adjusting usage patterns
- 2Households pursuing carbon footprint reduction through granular visibility into real-time energy consumption
- 3Utility companies deploying demand response programs and needing 30x better customer engagement than traditional portals
- 4Meter manufacturers embedding Sense software into next-generation smart meters for broader grid monitoring
- 5Property managers or energy consultants tracking consumption across residential buildings to identify efficiency opportunities
- 6Early adopters of smart home technology wanting appliance-level energy insights beyond standard utility bills
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Delivers appliance-level granularity instead of whole-home data only, enabling targeted efficiency improvements rather than broad guesses about energy waste
- Strong third-party validation with featured coverage in Time, NYT, Wired, MIT, and This Old House, plus demonstrated 30x user engagement lift versus utility portals
- B2B utility partnerships create economies of scale and ongoing development funding, reducing risk of product abandonment compared to consumer-only energy apps
- Real-time mobile app interface makes energy monitoring accessible to non-technical users, addressing a key friction point in home automation adoption
Limitations
- Hardware installation in electrical panel requires professional electrician involvement, creating upfront cost and scheduling friction that app-only competitors avoid
- No transparent pricing shown on homepage—customers must request quotes, creating opacity around cost-benefit and potentially deterring price-sensitive users
- Device identification accuracy via machine learning is not explicitly detailed; unclear whether it requires manual configuration for some appliances or achieves plug-and-play device recognition
- Market limited to homes with accessible electrical panels and compatible electrical systems; renters and apartments with centralized metering cannot use the product
- Claimed 4-8% savings are averages; individual results will vary significantly based on baseline consumption patterns and user engagement, yet marketing emphasizes the upper range
Pricing Details
Pricing details not publicly available. The website directs interested customers to contact sales or navigate to separate sections for 'For Homes' and 'For Utilities,' but no specific pricing tiers, subscription costs, hardware costs, or installation fees are disclosed on the homepage.
Who is this for?
Homeowners aged 35-65 with disposable income and environmental or cost-reduction motivations; early adopters of smart home technology; utility companies and meter manufacturers seeking grid-edge intelligence and demand response capabilities; energy consultants and property managers managing residential portfolios.