General

Doesn't my power company already do this?

It's highly unlikely that your power company gives you live and historical data at a rate of 6 data points per minute. The best power companies can give you data in 15 minute intervals, about 24 hours after the fact. We do it in 10 second intervals, live, and can store unlimited high-resolution history. We also make it easy to track, compare, and share your data via links or widgets that you can post on your website, for example. So the short answer is, no, your power company doesn't do this. That's why they've made it possible for you to get data from your new SmartMeter and send it to the Wattvision Web App via a gateway device like the Rainforest Eagle.

Do you have an iOS app?

The Wattvision apps are in the works -- until then, please use the web app at http://www.wattvision.com/dashboard.
##Do I need a Gmail account to sign up?
You do not need a Gmail account but you do need a google account. You can create a google account using your personal email address here.
##Do I need an electrician to set it up?
If you use a Rainforest Eagle or a Wattvision Sensor as one of your sensors, you don't need to involve an electrician. If you use an EKM Meter, you might need to involve an electrician as you need to place CTs in your breaker box. See this page http://www.wattvision.com/sensors to help decide the right sensor for you.

Do you make it easy to export data and get data to other services?

Yes. At any point, you can download CSV files of your data. As a developer, you can also write code to grab live data from our site and integrate it with your home automation system. We even allow other sites to grab this data, if you hand those sites your House ID and API Key, which is available on your House > Settings page.

Do you charge a monthly fee for the wattvision.com website?

Yes, you can access more history, along with additional features, by signing up for one of our paid plans. Businesses interested in services tailored for commercial needs should contact us.

Do you support commercial and industrial applications?

Yes. Our hardware is robust, low-cost, and highly adaptable to different scenarios. Please contact us for details.

The power company says my meter signal is encrypted.

Yes, the two-way serial communication with your digital meter is probably encrypted. But wattvision sensors, if that's what you're asking about, look at the infrared test pulse emitted by your meter -- we do not use serial communication. So wattvision will still work if your meter has an infrared test pulse output port.

Wattvision Sensors and Gateways

Do Wattvision Sensors (analog, digital top, digital front) work with solar?

Typically, no. If you have solar panels that feed back to the grid from your meter, we can't pick that up with Wattvision. Use a solution like the Rainforest Eagle sensor or the EKM Omnimeter systems (see info at left) -- they work in net-metering situations and upload data to Wattvision.com.

Does the Wattvision Gateway use Batteries?

No. Our goal is a set-and-forget system that you set up once and never need to touch again.

Do you work with other meters? Like gas and water?

Right now we only work with electrical power meters, but we're considering expanding to other utilities in the future. Let us know if you're interested in this!

Can I extend my sensors wiring?

All Wattvision sensors come with 50ft of sensor wire. Attempting to extend this wire voids the warranty. Also, extending wiring can be very confusing.

Can the sun interfere with my digital sensor?

Yes, in rare cases, the sun can interfere with the performance of our digital sensors. Shading the sensor slightly will solve this issue. Some users have put black tape / stickers around their sensors where they meet the meter to shade the sensor, and it works well.

Sustainability

Is the hardware made in the USA, and is it packaged in a sustainable way?

Yes! We are a US company, and so far we've managed to keep all production and manufacturing here in America.

How much energy does the wattvision sensor use?

Less than 2 watts. So, a lot less than what you will be saving with our system. To run the wattvision sensor for a whole year, you use 17kwh of power -- or ~ $3.