Review on Sense Flex Home Energy Monitor by Mitch Wright

Like many others, I had high hopes. I do a lot of research when buying things to make the most informed decision. In fact, this Sense Flex replaced another energy monitor that came with the Generac ATS panel. The Generac PWRView matched my stock numbers perfectly, but the software was rubbish. This prompted me to purchase Sense Flex. Based on online reviews and Sense's advancements in AI, I chose Sense Flex. and from there it goes down: First of all. I receive the device, open my panel and install the device according to the instructions. For a single generator installation, the diagram clearly shows the flexible CT connections on the grid side (mains) before the ATS and the main CT connections between the ATS and the load. We then move on to the written instructions which state that the main terminals of the current transformer must be pressed against the supply line. Good. The diagram shows the flex CT clamps connected to the service line, but writing tells you to use the main CT clamps. Let's go! Then they write that you need to connect the Flex CT to the "service line" which they indicate in the picture as the service line. But wait, they also say you can connect to the generator lines that feed the exchange. Well, these are completely different lines. So what is it? So after a lot of shuffling on the panel it turned out that the main current transformer should run between the ATS and the load and the flexible current transformer between the generator and the ATS. If it is otherwise you will either get a reading of 0 or it will think the oscillator is always on. To make things a lot more interesting, every time you reconfigure the CT clamps you have to reset the data or the device won't realize you've moved things. So now we have dealt with the installation. Time to watch the magic, or in my case the lack of magic. Once the device is installed, it must go through a signal detection phase in which it starts at 0% and gradually increases. Two days later I'm still stuck at 0. So I contact support. It was useless because 2 more days and no reply. The "Community" forum is active almost hourly with staff, they're all over Twitter, but no one seems to be able to help you when you request tech support. So I subscribe to the forum because everything is there. Welcome to a forum where you cannot post anything until we "think" you will be a good citizen of our beautiful forum, which may be a few days. They actually send you a message saying so when you sign up. So press 2. Let me call you, no, you don't have a phone number. Strike 3, I'm done. So I analyze the data to see if I'm missing something and start comparing Sense to the utility. My raw numbers are way off. So I look into the Sense app and see that one of my CT clips is reporting 0. I go to the panel, hit it with my fist and we report the numbers again. Wash off and repeat tomorrow. So I have a defective CT? Maybe let me add this to my ticket that no one will reply. Did. Wait a little more, move the clamp a few more times, there is no technical support. So now I can't even get a clear idea of the main use of electricity. This is the net kW consumed per day. Even the last monitor was able to determine the correct base number. Since I have no tech or community support and apparently received a defective product, I have ordered a new one and we'll see how it works when I get it. My hopes aren't that high anymore. I will post updates as soon as I get a new block. Many of the reviews here are posted after installation when there are reporting and detection issues. I haven't been able to get that far, so I'll have more to report in due course.