the British Gas Electricity Monitor any good?

[AntirrhinumMajus]

& if it isn't which one is better; the Owl or something else?

I borrowed one from our local library for four weeks and it was free. That was enough to get a sense of when and how I was using electricity. Not sure it's worth buying one myself.

I agree, it's not worth buying one. A few days use gives you an idea of how much electricity different appliances use. If you're pretty careful anyway then having an energy monitor is just depressing (especially if you have electric heating) and doesn't really help save energy (or money) at all.

The BG one is free isn't it?

I wonder if my library has one to borrow?

If they're offering you one free then take it. Ours from Scottish Hydro includes a digital thermometer which is probably the most useful bit. I think they're all much of a muchness really, so I definitely wouldn't waste money buying one.

I would disagree - I'd say its definitely worth having one long term, at least we find it very useful. It makes it immediately obvious if you've left something on, if something has changed & you're using more electricity, etc.

We've got one called the 'eco-eye', but tbh I think they're much of a muchness. DH bought ours, I think he picked this one because its British made, also it has a feature that it will tell you how much you've used in the last day/week/month etc, interesting but not vital (easy enough to find out anyway by noting your meter reading once a week or whatever).

I think when you're getting through 80 units some days just trying to heat the house when it's minus 12 outside, whether you've left a lightbulb on somewhere somewhat pales into insignificance. I think they're probably much more use if you only use small amounts of electricity and therefore the odd applicance left on here and there makes a big difference. Like I say, we were incredibly careful even before getting the meter so it hasn't made much difference to us, other than remind how much money it's costing us every day.

I've tried several. The Wattson is good, but expensive. I really liked the Current Cost - much cheaper, and loads of useful info.

having an energy monitor has made a big difference to our electricity use.

just got sent one from british gas free

Does anyone have one that can also turn appliances off?

Edf do an Ecomanager which is wireless. It will monitor and tell you the cost etc but you can also turn off all appliances together at bed time etc. It's £70 and you get the monitor and 3 plug adapters. The extra plug adapters are £15 each. I like that everything Inc router etc can all be turned off at a touch of a button so even when jusy popping to the shops etc everything is off.

Would like to know if there's anything that does a similar thing but not as expensive?