PowerMeter Phone

Google has joined forces with Energy Inc. to create a device for consumers to monitor their home energy usage and upload it into colorful charts and graphs via Google’s free web tool PowerMeter, according to a New York Times article. Appliances usurp energy when the appliance is not running, but still plugged in.

The [Google] device’s sensitivity makes it ideal for detecting a home’s so-called “phantom load” — the energy being drawn by appliances and home electronics that are ostensibly turned off, said Mr. Sly.

This just proves that Google does indeed have an app for everything. In all seriousness, monitoring your home energy usage and buying energy-efficient Energy Star appliances can help conserve energy and lower your monthly utility bill.