Intel’s new gadget wants to lower your electricity bill

The home energy management market is getting a little crowded. Kill-A-Watt and Google’s PowerMeter are already helping people cut their electric bills, but Intel is looking to make a splash with their “Intelligent Home Energy Management” or “Home Dashboard Concept” system.

Intel’s system was born out of the idea that the more information people have access to will encourage them to change their behavior. Intel’s Chief Technology Officer Justin Rattner pointed specifically at to hypermiling, a method of driving that focuses on tactics to reduce fuel consumption.

Unlike Google’s PowerMeter, Intel’s Home Dashboard Concept system isn’t internet based. The system comes with a small sensor that fits on a standard plug and a tablet computer that is powered by the MeeGo OS and an Intel Atom processor. The tablet looks a lot like a skinny iPad and sports an 11.5 inch light emitting diode (OLED) touch screen.

The sensor looks for the unique electric patterns of plugged in items and sends info back info to the tablet. It compiles the information and creates a log for each item showing when they are in use. One Intel employee that used the system caught her son playing Xbox via the logs, when he should have been doing other chores.

One important feature of the system is called “Touchstone” and displays peak energy times in a dial display, much like a temperature gauge in a car. Red and yellow dashes on the dial indicate elevated or peak prices, helping people choose cheaper times for energy events like running the dishwasher or doing laundry.

A small clapboard at the top of the tablet enables one of its coolest features with the “Goodbye Switch.” The switch is a shutdown feature for the home and turns off energy vampires, sets preprogrammed levels for the thermostat, and arms security systems when you leave the house. It also warns users if appliances are still running, such as your oven that your forgot to shut off.

Intel hopes to get the system on the market before the end of the year. Until then, you’ll just have to remember to turn off the lights before you leave for work.