What use: Google PowerMeter or Microsoft Hohm?
Right after Google’s PowerMeter Microsoft launched its own service – Hohm. Both services provide more or less the same functionality – view energy consumption for the specific period in different formats such tables or charts, possibility to export the data, some recommendations to decrease utility bill and carbon emission. Also the services includes a social networking part which allows to share your statistics with your family and friends.
But the ways how PowerMeter and Hohm get data are completely different. Google together with General Electric started developing of power meter device. Instead of that Microsoft is making partnerships with utility companies to get measurement from them. Sure for US is maybe good and easy way. But for the rest of world – no. Google’s approach is more generic. So, in my opinion it has more chances to score big successes!
