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Using monthly electric bills to keep track of your energy
use can prove frustrating since appliances consume different amounts of
energy at different times and the bill comes weeks after the electricity
is consumed. However, a growing number of devices allow homeowners to
track their electricity use in real time. According to an Oxford
University study (see the Related Resources), this type of direct
feedback on energy use typically helps homeowners reduce their energy
consumption-and costs-by 5 to 15 percent.
Whole-house meters. This type of device connects either to your home's circuit
breaker box or electric utility meter, and wirelessly transmits data to a
portable digital console. The console displays both your current
electricity usage and the related cost based on your utility rate (which
you program into the console). This information allows you to measure how
your consumption changes throughout the day, such as when your
refrigerator's compressor turns on or when you turn your television off.
Whole-house meters vary in price from approximately $100 to $200
depending on their features. Some can measure consumption at two
different rates (if your utility's rate changes based on time of day or
total usage), while others can factor in the effect of home energy
systems such as rooftop solar panels that offset conventional electricity
use.
Plug-in meters. These devices are a less expensive but somewhat more
limited option for tracking the energy consumption of individual
appliances. You simply plug the meter into an outlet and plug an
appliance into the meter, which displays the appliance's electricity
usage as it operates.
For as little as $30, these gadgets
allow you to measure how much electricity an appliance uses in various
power settings, including standby mode (when the appliance continues to
draw power even though it is turned off). You can also measure consumption
over time, which can be helpful for appliances such as refrigerators that
draw varying amounts of electricity during the day. One drawback of
plug-in meters is that they cannot measure the contribution of
"hard-wired" appliances such as central air conditioners, water
heaters, or wall/ceiling light fixtures, which can represent up to 40
percent of home electricity usage. (See the Related Resources for a list
of appliance consumption figures.)
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