Photos: Measuring home energy use in dollars and flowers

General Electric is creating eco-dashboards similar to this interface from its clean-tech labs. The touchscreen display would come with controls for appliances, programmable thermostat, audio and security systems, and would be paired with a smart meter.

The company is working with a real estate developer to integrate the energy and water monitoring system in new homes. GE's "ecomagination" Homebuilder Program in 13 communities will serve some 27,000 residents in North America and the Bahamas.