The Best Mobile Apps to Save you Energy and Money

Cell phones don’t use as much energy as you might expect. According to a report by Forbes, your mobile phone spends an average of 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) per year. The annual costs, then, will depend on the electricity rates in your area. A person who lives in Edmonton will spend an average of 7 cents per year, while a New York resident would pay around 20 cents for the same period, which are considered low costs. Still, your phone can help you save energy in many ways, whether you’re using an iPhone (iOS) or an Android device.

As mobile devices grow smarter, software follows in their footsteps and become useful tools in day-to-day life — which includes saving energy at home. If you are looking for better energy management, to track energy consumption or simply reduce costs, many energy-saving apps can help you reach your goals. From renewable energy apps to energy meter reading software, most of these tools are free and can be of great help to your wallet and the environment.

If you want to monitor your energy use and save money on your appliances, check the top 10 energy-saving apps for smartphones, iPhones and tablets, whether Android or iOS, below.

1. Energy Consumption Analyzer

Energy Consumption Analyzer works as a mobile database of your home energy use. Homeowners can add their meters for electricity, natural gas and water to create reports on their energy usage. The more data you enter, the better the app will be able to calculate your consumption per hour, day, week or month. The tool also allows you to check how much money you spend on energy, build graphs and separate categories in different colours.

2. OhmConnect

OhmConnect is a San Francisco-based online platform for people interested in switching from traditional energy sources to green energy — and it even pays you for doing so. In Canada, the tool is available for Toronto residents through Toronto Hydro. Essentially, OhmConnect will reward customers for saving energy during peak times. Give it access to your smart meters, and OhmConnect will be able to give you back the money you didn’t spend during peak hours.

You can choose between keeping the money, donating it to a charity, or collecting credit toward energy-efficient products. The OhmConnect app is no longer available for smartphones, but the web version still works nicely.

3. Energy Cost Calculator

Whether you want to track your air conditioner expenditures or know your amount of carbon emissions per year, Energy Cost Calculator is an intriguing tool for iOS users. This energy-consumption calculator can be used with different appliances or track the energy use for your whole house. It also lets you set different rates for electricity according to the time period, which is useful for consumers who live in demand-based markets such as Ontario and Alberta.

4. Simple Shower Timer

Smart home shower timers can be quite expensive, but there are plenty of free apps that can replace their work. For Android users, a low-cost solution is Simple Shower Timer. Users just need to set the amount of time they want to spend in the shower, and the app will alert them when it’s time to close the tap. The best thing about it is that the app has more than just a single abrupt alarm — Simple Shower Timer tells users when there are a few minutes left (i.e. 45 seconds or one minute) so you can get ready to leave the shower.

If you have an iPhone, a similar water-use limiter is Shower Watch Original, which is also entirely focused on sustainable consumption of water.

5. Energy Star

The Energy Star website is an essential source for consumers trying to reduce energy costs. The voluntary standard was designed to encourage and promote the use of energy-efficient appliances, from windows to LED light bulbs, and it’s one of the most renowned organizations for energy-saving tips in the world. If you want to learn more about Energy Star-certified products or check the rebates available in Canada, it’s worth bookmarking its website and taking a look from time to time.

6. CodeGreen Energy App

If you are curious about the green energy ratings for your city, CodeGreen Energy App will be a fun resource for your smartphone. This iOS app allows you to use a map to see the Energy Star score for thousands of buildings in cities such as Austin, Seattle, New York and San Francisco. It’s possible to check, for example, whether buildings are compliant with Energy Star standards, and to get to know about recent energy efficiency laws in each city.

7. Nest

The Nest app is helpful for consumers who own Nest home accessories, such as cameras and smart thermostats. Available for both Android and iPhone, the Nest app is a mix of smart home control tool, data reports and insights. Whether at work or in your bedroom, you will need only a few clicks to change your thermostat temperature or receive data about your energy use. If you wonder why you used so much energy last week or simply want to know more about your energy-saving habits, the app can provide you with such insights on a regular basis.

8. Philips Hue

The Philips Hue is one of the most popular smart lighting kits currently available. A huge part of the reason why is its controlling app, which allows you to set the lighting in many ways. For example, there are 16 million colours to choose from, brightness adjustments, and even the possibility of bringing your pictures to life. You can upload your favourite photos to the app, and it will automatically set the lighting mood according to the tones from the images. Although part of the Apple HomeKit list of accessories, the smart bulbs have both Android and iOS versions for their app.

9. Joulebug

Joulebug works almost like a social network for renewable energy enthusiasts. Users can join local competitions to see who is the greenest user, explore actions related to recycling and water conversation, and even share their energy-saving accomplishments with friends. The app’s primary goal is to increase sustainable life actions using engaging social media tools.

10. Energy Tracker

While Energy Consumption Analyzer is a cool tip for Android users, iPhone owners can have an alternative to the energy meter reading app with Energy Tracker. Whether you want to calculate environmental data or see a chart of your money spendings on energy, the app comes with all the tools you need to do so. It’s even possible to scan meter readings using the phone camera. All the data is saved to the software, and will later provide you with exclusive reports on your energy use at home.