As electricians, we often get asked: “How can I better understand or manage the power I’m using at home?” While there’s no single answer for every home, we do have a few go-to apps we love sharing with our customers — because they genuinely make life easier, smarter, and safer.
Note: We’re not affiliated with these apps or their creators — we just think they’re smart tools for homeowners who want more control over their home’s electrical usage.
1. Sense Home Energy Monitor
Sense gave real-time insight into home energy usage by identifying which appliances were using power and when. Worth noting — Sense has since stopped selling their consumer monitor hardware, but their technology is now being embedded directly into next-generation smart meters through utility partnerships. If your utility rolls out Sense-enabled smart meters, you may get these insights for free with no extra hardware needed.
Mike has this on his panel at home!
2. Wiser Energy by Schneider Electric
Wiser Energy monitors energy use and gives helpful recommendations on how to save. It’s a great tool for those who want smarter, more efficient homes and is often used alongside solar or EV systems.
3. Ting by Whisker Labs
Ting detects electrical fire hazards before they become dangerous. It listens for micro-arcs and anomalies in your wiring, alerting you to risks you’d otherwise never know about. We have not seen this in action but it looks really cool.
4. Span Smart Panel
Span replaces your entire electrical panel with a smart version, giving you circuit-by-circuit control via an app. It’s ideal for homes integrating solar, battery storage, or EVs.
5. Your Utility’s App
Don’t overlook the app from your own utility provider — SDG&E has its own energy tracking tools that are free and built specifically for San Diego homeowners. A great starting point before investing in additional hardware.
Have questions about any of these technologies or want to talk through what makes sense for your home? Contact us — we’re happy to help.