FAQs
Find the answer to your question fast with our most Frequently Asked Questions about the npower wireless energy monitor.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR npower ENERGY MONITOR
Q) How accurate are the monitors?
npower energy monitors are accurate to within 10%, at least. In most cases they are accurate to within 5%. Most of this variation is due to fluctuations in your electricity supply. (The energy monitor is not intended to check the accuracy of your electricity meter, but to provide real time feedback to aid energy saving.)
INSTALLING YOUR npower ENERGY MONITOR
Q) Do I need an electrician to install my npower energy monitor?
Your energy monitor is simple to install and easy to use. You do not need to consult an electrician. For easy to follow installation instructions, please refer to Installing Your Energy Monitor on our website.
If however you are concerned about the safety of your electricity meter, please consult a qualified electrician.
Q) Is the sensor supposed to be loose around the cable?
The sensor should fit loosely around your cable. Please do not pack it with anything to make it fit tighter. This could cause inaccurate readings and potentially be a safety hazard.
If the sensor is too small for the cable you may need to purchase an XL sensor from www.efergy.com .
Q) Does the energy monitor need batteries?
Both the transmitter and the receivers work with 1.5v alkaline batteries and in addition the monitors can be powered by 6v DC adaptor to save on the use of batteries.
*N.B. npower monitors come supplied with batteries for the transmitter and a DC adapter for the monitor.
Q) How long should the batteries last?
Battery life depends upon the quality and condition of batteries used, time spent interrogating the collected data and the intervals between transmissions. In ideal conditions up to 1 year of battery life can be expected in the products.
Q) Can my energy monitor be used with Economy-7 or dual timed tariffs?
Yes , the monitor can be used in conjunction with economy 7 and other timed tariffs. This is simple to set up in the menu when you enter the time, date, and tariff info.
However the monitor cannot be precisely used with dual tariffs, where primary and secondary units are used. If this is the case averages of each set of units can be taken (based on previous bills). This will provide you with an overall average in pence per unit that can then be entered into the monitor.
Q) Does my energy monitor work with three phase power?
Yes, but you will require two additional sensors. These can be purchased separately from www.efergy.com.
Q) Is it possible to get current sensors capable of accepting a larger diameter cable?
Yes, you can buy an XL extra sensor which fits up to 19mm diameter cable at www.efergy.com.
Q) How do I know what tariff to set in the menu?
Only your energy provider can supply these details. Please review your last bill or contact your provider.
USING YOUR npower ENERGY MONITOR
Q) The display on my energy monitor is showing 3-4 dashed lines. How can I get it working?
The transmitter and the hand held monitor display are not linked. Firstly, remove the batteries from both units for approximately one hour. Reinstall the batteries and link the two again. To understand how to link the components, see Installing Your Energy Monitor on this website or your instruction manual.
If the monitor display is still showing dashes, please contact us at npower@efergy.com or phone our helpline on 0845 060 995.
Q) How do I clear the memory on the display?
If you press and hold both outer buttons on the display monitor simultaneously for 2 seconds, the display will flash C L R, and on release return the display to the factory settings, with the memory cleared.
Q) How long does the energy monitor store data for?
The npower energy monitor stores up to 12 months of information. It also stores the last 7 days and last 7 weeks data separately so you can easily compare your energy habits in the last days and weeks.
Q) What is the range of the display unit from the transmitter?
The wireless display has a range of approximately 40-70m. But this will depend upon the environment in which it is working. If the building that the monitor is operating in contains; ironwork in the walls, thick concrete walls or floors and other wireless technology such as weather stations and wireless thermostats, then this can greatly reduce transmission ranges and possible cause the monitor to drop its link.
Q) If I remove the batteries will I lose the information on the display?
If you need to change or remove the batteries, the display has an internal memory so data stored on the display will not be lost.