About
Sense is an AI-powered home energy intelligence platform founded in 2013 with a mission to reduce global carbon emissions. The system combines the Sense Monitor—a hardware device installed in your home's electrical panel—with iOS and Android mobile apps and a web interface to deliver real-time, high-resolution energy insights. Using advanced machine learning, Sense analyzes electrical signals to automatically detect and identify individual appliances and devices in your home, giving you granular visibility into exactly what's consuming energy and when. This enables homeowners to spot inefficiencies, track usage trends, and act on data-driven recommendations to reduce waste. Sense delivers measurable impact: users report average annual energy savings of 4–8%, and the platform drives 30x greater customer engagement compared to traditional utility portals. Its demand savings program outperforms leading behavioral programs by 3x. Beyond residential use, Sense partners with utilities to bring distributed, local intelligence to the grid edge—improving grid reliability, enabling real-time visibility, and accelerating customer engagement in the energy transition. Sense also embeds its AI software directly into next-generation AMI 2.0 smart meters through partnerships with global meter manufacturers. Whether you're a homeowner seeking to save money, a utility modernizing grid operations, or a hardware partner integrating energy intelligence, Sense provides the actionable data needed to participate in a cleaner, more efficient energy future.
Key Features
- AI Device Detection: Machine learning automatically identifies individual appliances and devices from electrical signal patterns, giving you device-level energy breakdowns without manual setup.
- Real-Time Energy Monitoring: High-resolution, real-time data from the Sense Monitor streams directly to your mobile app and web dashboard so you always know what's consuming energy right now.
- iOS & Android Mobile App: A dedicated mobile app lets homeowners track energy usage, receive alerts, view device activity, and act on energy-saving recommendations from anywhere.
- Utility & Grid Integration: Sense partners with utilities to deliver grid-edge intelligence, demand response capabilities, and customer engagement tools that support the energy transition.
- Smart Meter Compatibility: Sense embeds its AI software into next-generation AMI 2.0 smart meters via partnerships with global meter manufacturers, expanding reach beyond standalone hardware.
Use Cases
- Homeowners monitoring real-time electricity usage to identify waste and reduce monthly utility bills
- Detecting energy-hungry or always-on appliances such as old refrigerators, pool pumps, or EV chargers to optimize usage schedules
- Utilities deploying Sense for demand response programs and customer engagement during peak grid periods
- Smart meter manufacturers embedding Sense's AI software in next-generation AMI 2.0 meters to deliver value-added energy intelligence
- Eco-conscious households tracking and reducing their carbon footprint through data-driven energy behavior changes
Pros
- Proven Energy Savings: Users achieve average annual energy savings of 4–8%, with demand savings 3x better than leading behavioral programs.
- High User Engagement: Sense drives 30x more engagement than traditional utility customer portals, keeping homeowners actively informed about their energy use.
- Dual Audience Value: Serves both individual homeowners and large utility providers, making it relevant across the residential and commercial energy landscape.
- Non-Intrusive Installation: The Sense Monitor installs in the electrical panel and works passively—no need to add sensors to individual devices or outlets.
Cons
- Hardware Purchase Required: The Sense Monitor is a physical device that must be purchased and professionally installed, adding upfront cost before any software benefits are realized.
- Variable Device Detection Accuracy: AI device identification can take weeks to train and may not accurately detect all appliances, particularly older or lower-power devices.
- Electricity Only: Sense monitors electrical energy consumption only; it does not provide visibility into natural gas, water, or other home utility usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sense identify individual devices in my home?
Sense uses machine learning to analyze the unique electrical signatures that each device produces when it turns on and off. Over time, the AI learns to distinguish between your appliances and assigns energy usage to specific devices automatically.
What hardware do I need to use Sense?
You need the Sense Home Energy Monitor, which is installed inside your home's electrical panel (breaker box). Professional or licensed installation is recommended. Once installed, it pairs with the Sense mobile app or web interface.
Is there a mobile app available?
Yes. Sense offers both iOS and Android mobile apps that provide real-time energy data, device activity feeds, usage history, alerts, and personalized energy-saving insights.
Can utilities and energy providers use Sense?
Yes. Sense offers a dedicated solution for utilities, providing grid-edge intelligence, demand response capabilities, and customer engagement tools to help utilities manage the energy transition and improve grid reliability.
How much money can I realistically save with Sense?
Sense reports average annual energy savings of 4–8% for its users. Actual savings vary depending on your household's energy habits, local electricity rates, and how actively you respond to the app's recommendations.
