WEL is the third generation of the HVAC logging system that I originally designed for my Energy Efficient home in the mountains of western Maryland.  This latest version is designed specifically for other people who want to build their own monitoring system. 

When I designed the energy systems for my home, I needed to ensure that they were performing as anticipated.  Since I had incorporated Passive Solar design, Geothermal heating and cooling, Energy Recovery Ventilation and a Radiant Hydronic slab there was a lot to monitor and record. So I needed a system with lots of sensors at reasonable cost.  I've designed and built a bunch of remote sensor systems in my robotics career, so I knew that the cost of lots sensors and input channels was going to be a big problem.  When I came across the Dallas (now Maxim) 1-Wire sensor bus, I knew I'd found the ideal technology.  These digitally addressable sensors all share one pair of wires, so they gave me the ultimate in flexibility and economy.

1) Decide what you want to monitor.  The WEL's main strength is reading LOTS of temperature sensors, but it also reads 2 Wattmeters and 8 contact closures.  So make a list of all the sensor "points" that you want to log.  Start naming your sensors right away.  On my "Support Files" page I link to a document recommending standard name prefixes. 

2) Order the WEL and sensors you need.  The "WEL Starter Kit" is a great way to begin temperature monitoring, and then you can add specific components from other manufacturers.  These include the WNA-1P-240-P-193 Watt Node from Continental Control Systems, or the CR9321-NPN  Current Switch from CR Magnetics.

3) When you order the WEL, you'll get a username and password to log into the Owner Setup page of this website.  Here you can specify your data archiving requirements.  Such things as:

• What order your data gets recorded in the downloadable monthly log files.
• How you want your sensor data displayed on a custom "System Diagram" you upload to the site.
• What custom trend graphs you want generated

4) When your WEL arrives, you connect it to your home LAN and power it up.  Using the Web browser on your home computer you configure the board, and assign names to each sensor as you add them to the 1-wire network.  You can change logging intervals, and also configure secondary serial logging.

5) Once the WEL is running, it will automatically connect out to the Internet and post your sensor data to the OurCoolHouse.com website (or one of your choice).  OCH will generate your system diagram and trend charts, and post them on your own WEL Data page.  You can include these same images in your own website just by referring to their unique URL's.

6) Now start watching you system.  Add new trend graphs as you need them, and share your data with the community.  It's amazing what you can lean about your system that you never anticipated.

Use the menu at the left for more detailed information about the WEL, or to see some real sample data.

The Web Energy Logger is an Internet Appliance designed to monitor a 1-wire sensor network, and post temperature and power data to a web site for display and analysis. WEL 3.3 was created specifically for people interested in monitoring their own homes or businesses. For more information, visit the WEL homepage. ©2000-2008 Phil Malone - - www.OurCoolHouse.com