Once you add optional modules such as Wifi, Ethernet, Zigbee connectivity options; DashBox (data storage /local webapp server for presenting the data), and Current Transformers the cost approaches $700.
GEM can only report whole house energy measurements and measurements per circuit. It can't tell you anything "smart" about your appliances. This means more investigative effort involved to understand how much your appliances use. Especially if something is faulty or working inefficiently.
There are four pulse counter inputs which can be used to measure gas, water, possibly other things.
1 temperature bus/ 8 temperature inputs for tracking heating patterns.
32 current transformers
Overall a comprehensive monitoring solution for utilities.
It's nice that they let the user modify the package to suit their needs, particularly network method and whether to use a cloud service, keep it local, or a combination of both.
Even if no module is selected it still comes with a DB9 cable for RS232 access.
"It measures apparent power (S)." <- not sure why this was written, this is not the case according to their web site, which asserts that the GreenEye "Measures “True” (Real) Power. This is what the power company charges for." So, not sure if this is an accurate "con" for this product.
Eyedro tracks the power consumption in your home in real-time, and also collects historical data, like hourly averages. All data is collected in the dashboard of the free web-app.
As more houses come online with Sense installations, the library of electronic devices that the Sense system can recognize should improve. The Sense company intends to add more smart features later such as notifying the user if some devices are faulty once they have enough data to build on.
Discovery of devices/appliances is incredibly slow. Booting up your system for the first time you can expect to wait a minimum of 24 hours before the first device is recognized. One YouTube review (video here) has stated that the Sense unit has only identified 16 appliances in over a month for him. Some electrical appliances may never get recognized at all, especially smaller ones.
Consistent identification of devices cannot be expected when connectivity drops or you have to reboot the sense system.
Multiple items for the same appliance can't be merged or grouped.
In short, the identification of electronic devices is still in it's early stages. It is supposed to improve over time but currently it's not a great experience.
You just need an smart meter, which is usually in the EU provided by your energy supplier. a server with gnu/linux or a docker container and an ir read/write head.