PowerCost Monitor

Many of us are awash in information every day through e-mail, social media, or the Web. But when it comes to home energy, the standard is a hard-to-understand monthly paper bill.

The PowerCost Monitor from Blue Line Innovations is a whole-house electricity monitor, one of a growing number of options for getting detailed information on home energy. By better understanding where electricity is going, people can find ways to conserve. Microsoft said Tuesday its Hohm Web application can now connect to the electricity monitor, letting people view even more information online.