The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Glow is a UK smart-meter display and Consumer Access Device (CAD) for households that want near-real-time electricity readings, an app, and optional API or MQTT access. It is more capable than a basic in-home display, but it is not an appliance-by-appliance monitor and its compatibility depends on the smart meter and communications hub in your home. As of the product information dated 16 August 2026, the £69.99 device was listed as sold out, with a £15 deposit option for a future batch.
What Glow is—and what it is not
Glow is a home-energy monitoring product from Hildebrand Technology, sold through Glowmarkt. Its main hardware product combines a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen with a Consumer Access Device (CAD). The display is the screen you can check around the home; the CAD communicates with a compatible smart meter and makes meter data available to Glow services.
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The data path is smart meter → CAD → Glow Display, Bright app, API and, where enabled, MQTT. Glow does not replace the utility’s meter, supply electricity, or change your tariff. It presents and distributes consumption data so you can see how the home is using energy.
That distinction matters in a renovation or energy-efficiency project: Glow can help you observe whole-home demand before and after changes, but it does not directly measure a particular circuit, identify every appliance, or verify a building’s insulation performance.
#1 Best Overall
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
How live are the readings?
“Real time” varies by fuel and data route. With a working CAD, electricity power and usage can update approximately every 10 seconds. Gas data is generally available at about 30-minute intervals, reflecting how gas smart meters report. The Bright app, API and MQTT inherit the timing and availability of their underlying meter feed and connection.
| Data route or type | Typical update expectation | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity through a working CAD | Approximately every 10 seconds | Near-real-time whole-home demand, not appliance-level measurement. |
| Gas | Typically about every 30 minutes | Useful for consumption tracking, but not a second-by-second view of heating or hot-water use. |
| SMETS2 data through the DCC without real-time hardware | Usually delayed half-hourly data | Can support historical monitoring through Bright, but is not the same as a live CAD feed. |
| Bright, API or MQTT | Depends on the source feed, connection and service path | Availability and refresh timing can differ between interfaces. |
Glow reads whole-home smart-meter data. You may notice a demand change when an EV charger, kettle or electric heater switches on, but Glow does not automatically tell you which appliance caused it. Systems designed for appliance insights or panel-mounted current-transformer (CT) monitoring use a different measurement approach; for example, Sense describes whole-home and individual-device monitoring, with availability tied to participating US utilities and compatible meters.
What the display, Bright app and integrations provide
Display and Bright app
The physical display provides an always-visible view of energy use and related cost information. The Bright app can show electricity and gas data from compatible meters and provides a way to view information away from the display. For SMETS2 users, Bright may provide delayed half-hourly data without Glow hardware after identity and meter-verification steps are completed. See the Bright app listing for the app’s stated capabilities.
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- ⚡ EASY INSTALLATION: Installs in circuit panel of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports single-phase up to 240VAC line-neutral; single, split-phase 120/240VAC; and three-phase up to 415Y/240VAC (no Delta). The branch lines can automatically match different phases and have no restrictions in terms of quantity and voltage.Panels with access only to busbars will need flexible sensors available from SEM-Meter.
- ⚡ ENERGY MONITORING ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: Monitor your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. Light commercial 3 phase option available as a separate bundle. Protected by a 1-year warranty.
- ⚡ VARIOUS ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE MONITORING: Comes with 16 50A sensors to accurately monitor your air conditioner, furnace, water heater, washer, dryer, range, etc.
- ⚡ LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: SEM-Meter measures real-time spending and gets actionable notifications to understand where savings can be made, both to lower your electric bill and to conserve energy and protect the planet’s resources. Be an environmentalist.
- ⚡ REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: Connect SEM-Meter device via 2.4GHz WiFi to monitor energy usage, with an accuracy range of 1%. View usage in real time through Android/Apple software. Statistics of power usage in now/day/week/month/year format: the validity period of hourly exported data is 90 days, and the exported data of day/month/year data is permanent, available at any time Export from application.
API, MQTT and Home Assistant
Glow is notable for making meter data available beyond its own screen and app. Its product page describes API and local MQTT access, and it markets Home Assistant compatibility. This can suit technically confident users who want energy readings in a home-automation dashboard—for example, to compare demand with heating schedules or EV charging.
Do not assume the integration is a one-click setup. The current individual-user API documentation says users should email Glow support to request MQTT access and provide their Bright account and CAD MAC ID, while the product listing describes MQTT access as available. Because these instructions differ in how activation is presented, check the current process with Glow. Glow also says it does not provide ongoing MQTT support, directing users to documentation and its forum. The individual-user API and MQTT documentation is the relevant starting point.
Consumption and cost are different measurements
Glow can show energy consumption and cost-related information, but those figures are not interchangeable. Consumption is energy used, typically in kilowatt-hours (kWh); power is the instantaneous rate of use, usually shown in watts or kilowatts. A unit price is the tariff rate per kWh, while an estimated cost depends on tariff information and the calculation applied.
Rank #3
- EM16P MODEL & LOCAL CONTROL & DATA PRIVACY: Access your home energy monitor data locally via Built-in Web UI, Open API, and MQTT without relying on cloud services. Unlike cloud-dependent monitors, Refoss ensures your data stays within your home network. Direct local access protects your privacy while giving you 100% full control of your home energy system.
- NATIVE HOME ASSISTANT & OPENCLAW AI: Experience seamless Native Home Assistant integration right out of the box—no firmware flashing or complex coding required. Featuring ✨NEW✨ OpenClaw Support, it enables AI-driven automation for smarter, real-time energy management and seamless smart home control.
- MAXIMIZE SOLAR & ZERO FEED-IN AUTOMATION: Designed for solar homes, the power monitor works with the Refoss app and Home Assistant to automatically use surplus solar power. Appliances like EV chargers, washing machines, and water heaters are powered during midday peaks, maximizing solar self-consumption and reducing low-value electricity feed-in to the grid. Optimizes usage and reduces bills.
- REAL-TIME MONITORING & ±1% ACCURACY: Monitor voltage, current, active power, and power factor of major appliances. Provides ±1% accuracy (200A: 2–200A; 60A: 1–60A) and ±2% at low current. Daily data stored up to 5 years and exportable. With no subscriptions or hidden fees, you get deep historical insights to help you identify every energy-saving opportunity and save 10–20% on monthly bills.
- SMART ALERTS & CIRCUIT-LEVEL CONTROL: Set usage targets for each individual circuit and receive instant alerts when appliances exceed normal consumption. Refoss app supports automation and peak management to optimize schedules, reduce peaks, and improve efficiency. Real-time electricity usage monitor for circuit-level insights.
The product page says tariff and cost data come from the meter. If the meter has the wrong tariff configuration, a value changed in Bright may not change what is stored on the meter or shown on the physical display; the supplier may need to correct the meter configuration. This is particularly important after a tariff change and for time-of-use, Economy 7, multi-register, export or solar arrangements. Treat Glow’s cost figures as an aid to understanding use, not as the final bill: the supplier’s bill accounts for the supplier’s applicable standing charges, taxes, credits, discounts and export treatment.
Compatibility: check the meter and hub before buying
Glow is intended for the UK SMETS smart-meter system. A household having “a smart meter” is not enough to establish compatibility. Meter type, communications-hub variant, migration status, supplier configuration and consent all matter.
- SMETS2: Supported, subject to verification, consent and associating the device with the correct meter. Glow retrieves delayed data through the DCC as a DCC Other User; the hardware connection is a separate route for near-real-time readings.
- SMETS1: Support is conditional. Glow says the relevant SMETS1 variant is available only when the meter has migrated to DCC infrastructure. Some SMETS1 households may see less historical data on the physical display than newer meter setups provide.
- Communications hub: Glow warns that customers with a Trilliant communications hub may currently be unable to join the device. Check the specific warning on Glow’s CAD compatibility and waiting-list page.
- Broadband and consent: The device needs broadband/Wi-Fi and authorisation to access the customer’s meter data. Glow requires consent to associate the CAD with the meter.
- Tariff: If accurate cost tracking is a priority, confirm support for your exact tariff name and configuration rather than assuming every smart tariff is supported.
Glow specifically advertises support for the original Octopus Agile setup, with the tariff requested or configured by Glow. That should not be read as confirmation that every Agile variant, start date or other time-of-use tariff is supported; confirm your precise arrangement with Glow.
Rank #4
- SAFE & RELIABLE: Meross smart energy consumption monitor is ETL‑certified and compliant with the UL 61010 testing standard, ensuring safe and reliable home energy monitoring. Works with most US homes: single-phase 2-wire systems, single-split phase 3-wire systems, and 3-phase 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no Delta). Easy clamp‑on design installs in minutes. Invert CT readings in the app—no physical flipping. PROTECTED BY 2-YEAR WARRANTY for worry-free use.
- TRACK ENERGY & CUT BILLS: Track power, voltage, current, and power factor within ±1% accuracy. Clear power usage and cost charts by minute/hour/day/month/year help you easily understand your energy use. Store up to 5 years of data and export hourly reports for deep analysis. Most users save 10–20% on energy costs by spotting energy hogs and getting accurate insights to cut their bills.
- 24/7 ENERGY MONITORING + SMART ALERTS: Real-time home energy monitoring from anywhere. Set custom alerts for unusual usage spikes and threshold breaches for total peace of mind. Catch issues early with no subscriptions, no cloud lock‑in, and no hidden fees — all built-in. Supports 2 main circuits (200A) + 16 branch circuits (60A), making it perfect for precise, circuit-level energy monitoring.
- MAXIMIZE YOUR SOLAR SAVINGS (HOME ASSISTANT): This solar energy monitor integrates with Home Assistant to detect solar surplus and automatically power EV chargers, water heaters, and other high‑use appliances. Stop wasting solar energy—use it yourself and cut your electricity bill faster. The perfect home energy monitor for solar homes.
- LOCAL DATA, FULL PRIVACY, NO SUBSCRIPTIONS: Connect seamlessly with Home Assistant for advanced energy automation. All energy data stays local—no cloud, no delays, no privacy concerns. Take full control of your home energy, reduce waste, and protect your privacy. Supports Open API and Web Control.
Setup: verify first, then pair
Use a compatibility-first sequence rather than buying on the assumption that all SMETS meters pair the same way.
- Identify your meter and communications hub. Establish whether the home has SMETS1 or SMETS2 and, for SMETS1, whether it has migrated to DCC. Check for the Trilliant-hub limitation.
- Decide which data you need. If delayed historical data is enough, check whether Bright’s software-only access meets the need. Choose hardware if you need a dedicated display, near-real-time electricity data or the CAD data path.
- Verify your meter and give consent. Create or use a Bright account and complete Glow’s required identity, meter-verification and consent steps.
- Connect and associate the hardware. Connect the Glow device to broadband/Wi-Fi, then associate it with the verified smart meter as directed by Glow.
- Allow updates and check both fuels. Let the device complete any software update, then confirm that electricity and gas readings appear. Gas updates may be slower than electricity.
- Check tariff details. Compare the displayed tariff information with the supplier’s current configuration, especially after a tariff or supplier change.
- Set up developer access separately. Use Glow’s current API documentation for API access. For MQTT, follow current support instructions; the individual-user guide says to provide the Bright account and CAD MAC ID when requesting access.
A successful installation should provide whole-home electricity demand, electricity and gas consumption, and tariff or cost information where the meter makes it available. Historical data may be viewable in Bright, while API or MQTT data depends on those interfaces being enabled and configured.
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The device cannot connect to the meter
- Recheck the SMETS type, meter variant and communications hub.
- For SMETS1, confirm DCC migration status; check whether the home has a Trilliant hub.
- Confirm that verification and consent have completed and that the CAD is associated with the correct meter.
- If a supplier is planning to replace the communications hub, contact Glow first: Glow warns that a replacement can affect device association.
Live electricity readings are missing
Check broadband and meter connectivity, then confirm the CAD is paired with the intended meter. A delayed DCC data feed is not the same as a real-time CAD feed. Check the association and connection before treating a slower update as a faulty reading.
Best Value
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
Gas updates seem slow
Gas readings typically arrive around every 30 minutes, so a pause between readings does not by itself indicate a fault.
Cost figures do not match expectations
Compare the meter’s tariff configuration with the supplier account. A tariff edited in Bright may not update the tariff stored on the meter. Use the supplier bill as the authoritative amount due.
Historical data is incomplete, or the app and screen differ
Some SMETS1 variants may provide less historical data to the physical display. App and display readings can also differ because of update timing, aggregation windows, tariff calculation delays or time-zone handling. Glow’s forum has documented a UTC/BST timing example; record the affected time period and compare the relevant interfaces before contacting Glow support or the forum.
Price and availability
Glow’s product information dated 16 August 2026 listed the Display and CAD at £69.99 and marked it sold out. A separate listing offered a £15 deposit to reserve a future device and lock in the £69.99 price; the stated expected batch was autumn 2026, subject to component availability. A deposit is a reservation, not immediate stock. Check the Display and CAD product page and deposit terms for current status before ordering.
The same shop listed a Glow temperature and humidity sensor at £45.99. It is an optional building-monitoring accessory, not a substitute for the CAD or a requirement for energy tracking; see the Glowmarkt shop for its current listing.
Glow compared with other ways to monitor energy
| Option | Best suited to | How it differs from Glow |
|---|---|---|
| Bright without Glow hardware | Compatible-meter users, especially SMETS2 households, who mainly want delayed history. | No Glow device purchase, but it does not provide the same near-real-time electricity experience. Meter verification is required; details are in the Bright app listing. |
| Supplier-provided in-home display | Households seeking a basic display supplied with a smart-meter installation. | Often the simplest route for basic readings; features and tariff handling depend on the supplier and device. Glow adds its own app, API and MQTT ecosystem. |
| Sense | Eligible US households seeking whole-home and individual-device insights. | Not a like-for-like UK SMETS CAD. Sense says app availability depends on participating utilities and compatible smart meters in selected US locations; see Sense’s product page. |
| Optiwatt | People prioritising software-led cost monitoring and connected thermostat or EV-related optimisation. | More focused on software and connected devices than a dedicated UK smart-meter display/CAD. See Optiwatt’s home energy page. |
| Lumi | Apple Home users seeking energy visibility in a smart-home app. | A software experience, not a direct replacement for Glow’s UK CAD and physical display. See Lumi’s site. |
| Panel-mounted CT monitor | Households needing circuit-level measurement, solar-production tracking or more granular monitoring. | Measures at the electrical panel rather than using Glow’s smart-meter data path. Installation may be more involved and could require a professional; capabilities vary by system. |
Moving home or replacing a meter
The CAD is associated with a particular meter, so it is not simply a plug-in monitor to take to a new property and reuse without changes. Glow describes a move as requiring disassociation from the old meter, revocation of consent for that meter, adding the new property through Bright’s consent and meter-management settings, and association with the new meter. A different meter type may require a certificate swap; Glow lists that process at its SMETS certificate-swap page. Contact Glow before a meter or communications-hub replacement that could alter the association.
Quick Recap
Who should consider Glow?
- A good match: A UK household with a compatible SMETS meter that wants near-real-time whole-home electricity demand, a physical display, an app, or data access for Home Assistant and other technical projects.
- Consider Bright first: A compatible SMETS2 user who mainly wants delayed usage history and does not need live readings or dedicated hardware.
- Look elsewhere: A household outside the UK SMETS ecosystem, with an unsupported meter configuration, or needing appliance-level or circuit-level readings rather than whole-home meter data.
- Wait or verify stock: A buyer who needs a device immediately, since the dated product listing reported it sold out.
- Choose a different approach: Someone seeking hands-off, fully supported smart-home setup with minimal configuration, or automated appliance control rather than monitoring.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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