Sense brings real-time, device-level energy insights to your fingertips. Depending on where you live and your electricity provider, there are two primary ways you can get Sense for your home: through a next-generation smart meter provided by your utility. If you already have a Sense monitor, or you’re setting up Sense by installing a physical Sense Home Energy Monitor in your electrical panel
Here is everything you need to know about how to get started with Sense.
1. The Smart Meter Route (Free via Your Utility)
We are actively partnering with electricity providers across the country to build Sense technology directly into next-generation smart meters.
If your electricity provider uses Sense-enabled smart meters, the Sense app is completely free to use with no extra hardware to purchase, no installation hurdles, and no monthly subscription fees.
How it works:
- Utility Rollout: Your electricity provider installs a next-generation smart meter at your home.
- No Extra Hardware: The meter itself has the processing power to run Sense's advanced machine learning software.
- Download and Connect: Once your meter is upgraded, you will receive an invitation from your electricity provider to download the Sense app, link your account, and start tracking your real-time usage.
Note: Utilities are rolling out these smart meters in phases over the coming years. Check your electricity provider's website or portal to see if Sense-enabled smart meters are coming to your neighborhood.
2. Legacy Sense Home Energy Monitor (Hardware Installation)
If your electricity provider does not yet support Sense-enabled smart meters, or if you want to get started right away, you can still use a physical Sense Home Energy Monitor.
While Sense has transitioned its core focus toward built-in smart meter software, legacy consumer hardware monitors remain fully supported, and the Sense Home app is here to stay.
Installation:
Because the physical monitor must connect directly to the main service mains inside your electrical breaker panel, we highly recommend hiring a licensed electrician to handle the installation. It typically takes less than 30 minutes to install.
3. Which Option is Right for Me?
| Feature | Sense via Smart Meter | Sense Hardware Monitor |
| Upfront Cost | Free (Provided by utility) | Cost of monitor + potential electrician fee |
| Subscription Fee | None | None |
| Installation | Done by utility | Installed in your breaker panel (professional recommended) |
| Solar Compatibility | Under development (not currently compatible) | Fully compatible (via Sense Solar add-on or automatic detection) |
| Availability | Dependent on utility rollout | Available anywhere in the US and Canada |
4. Special Considerations for Solar Homes
If your home has solar panels, please note the following:
For monitors: You can monitor your solar generation directly using flex sensors, or allow Sense to detect your solar production automatically. With either option, you'll see your generation and usage side by side, giving you seamless visibility into both what your home is consuming and what your panels are producing. Learn more here.
Ready to Get Started?
- Check Your Meter: Contact your local electricity provider to ask if they support Sense-enabled smart meters.
- Get the App: Search for "Sense Home" in the Apple App store or the Google App store.