So I've got a big hybrid solar system on my plot in Kyalami but I'm still using a lot of Eskom power.

Has anyone got a recommendation for someone that can do an energy audit for me to find out where the wastage is? I know a few years back there were companies that could do it and they'd install some equipment onto the DB and let it collect data for a few days or weeks but I'm struggling to find anything now.

Do you know of companies that do it or have you had one done yourself?

7 minutes ago, AgentMulders said:

So I've got a big hybrid solar system on my plot in Kyalami but I'm still using a lot of Eskom power.

Has anyone got a recommendation for someone that can do an energy audit for me to find out where the wastage is? I know a few years back there were companies that could do it and they'd install some equipment onto the DB and let it collect data for a few days or weeks but I'm struggling to find anything now.

Do you know of companies that do it or have you had one done yourself?

Are you comfortable with DIY?

I'd have to see how DIY DIY really is, but I'd give it a try.

The bills are high enough right now that I could spend R10k on an audit and easily make it back in a few months

1 hour ago, AgentMulders said:

I'd have to see how DIY DIY really is, but I'd give it a try.

The bills are high enough right now that I could spend R10k on an audit and easily make it back in a few months

I would get this then. All you need is a voltage reference. So 2 1.5mm2 cables from your live and neutral. Then, clamp the CTs to any of the individual circuits in your DB. Or you can do it per device; it depends on how you want to do it.

Then you check daily consumption for each circuit or device. When done, move it to the next circuit in your DB or to the next device if you do it that way. You will quickly know which circuit or device is using power. The App is free. I used this to get energy consumption figures for everything in the house, basically.

I was able to go off-grid because of that.

Edited June 5Jun 5 by Denns

Amazing, at that price I could set up a bunch of them and leave them monitoring for a few days at a time. Thanks

2 minutes ago, AgentMulders said:

Amazing, at that price I could set up a bunch of them and leave them monitoring for a few days at a time. Thanks

Yeah its worth it also. I have 2, one that takes 2 CTs and another that takes 1 CT. I just left the one that takes 2 CTs connected permanently to keep a record of my consumption of the essential and non-essential after I was done with my tests. I use it for some of my home automation scenarios, also using Tuya.

It will looklike below when you have it open on the app. Can name them whatever you want.

You can see today my consumption is pretty low as noone is home. Just the pool that ran for 2 hours (winter so not running it long).

Edited June 5Jun 5 by Denns

I've also found this in the mean time, fits 3 phase and has 16 CT's. It looks a little more permanent

https://www.geewiz.co.za/home-electronics/223342-emporia-vue-gen-3-energy-monitor-with-200a-3-phase-sensors-and-16x-50a-sensors.html

6 minutes ago, AgentMulders said:

I've also found this in the mean time, fits 3 phase and has 16 CT's. It looks a little more permanent

https://www.geewiz.co.za/home-electronics/223342-emporia-vue-gen-3-energy-monitor-with-200a-3-phase-sensors-and-16x-50a-sensors.html

Oh you are 3 phase? That changes the ball game lol. Yeah, that will work fine also. But I think you got the idea for the kind of options that will suit your application.

This would be far better than what I suggested as mine is geared for single phase. Yours is also cheaper per unit, considering you get 16. I would go for that.

Edited June 5Jun 5 by Denns

Ja main supply is 3 phase but individual DBs are all single phase, so it's flexible where I put the sensors in

What about a CBi Nano View? It doesn't have wifi but you have I think 16 channels to monitor.

What I like about it is the water meter monitor who can give you a warning if you might have a leak. 4 channels

https://www.nanoview.co.za/

Edited June 6Jun 6 by Vaal

On 2026/06/06 at 2:43 PM, Vaal said:

What about a CBi Nano View? It doesn't have wifi but you have I think 16 channels to monitor.

What I like about it is the water meter monitor who can give you a warning if you might have a leak. 4 channels

https://www.nanoview.co.za/

I looked at this a while back, doesn't seem to be something they sell anymore

@AgentMulders if you do not have any 3 phase loads then why don't you downgrade from 3 phase to single phase?

I still have to check the DB boards to see how it's set up but it's 3 phase because of the total current draw being higher than single phase can deliver, it's a plot after all

I have an Emporia Vue II which I reflashed with ESPhome, relatively easy to do if you are comfortable with that type of thing and works very well.

Pulls my household usage data into Home Assistant and is super handy to know where my power is being used.

I purchased mine through Amazon.co.za but looks likes Geewizz has as well so I would compare prices.

Edited June 12Jun 12 by Sc00bs

The Emporia Vue 3 is my top choice right now. I might start with one of the 2 channel tuya units that I can move around a bit to suspect circuits before I invest. There's 5 sub-db's that I need to check out