Really interesting. The Brisbane City Council are thinking along the same lines. In the past 12 months, they have made wireless energy monitors available free of charge (after rebate) to residents under a Climate Smart program. The monitors show real time energy usage in Wh and $. An audible alarm can be set when certain levels are reached. It is quick interesting in to see what your baseline load is (ie when you are using nothing) and how much it costs to do certain activities like cooking or watching TV.

Sadly, I had an extra power point installed straight off the switchboard (for the network/internet stuff) and my wireless monitor doesn't work any more.

Climate Smart has also issued free power boards that switch off accessories when the main appliance is turned off. This device alone will save the average house a quantifiable number of dollars each month especially if used with the "home theatre". Sadly, I'm using the TV, the main power sink, as the master device for convenience but it is probably the one device that needs to be switched off.