Kill a Watt

[2moretrees]

Does anyone one use these devices in their home and do they really work? Has knowing how much you have been using make a difference to help you reduce the amount of energy you use? My friend has recommended these to me and I'm looking for more opinion on them. Thank you in advance.

[mom2manyboyz]

I haven't used the device, but it is always wise to unplug devices with boxes on the chord and digital displays when they aren't being used. These things suck power all the time.

[cs1992]

I use one, it was a good purchase. It's amazing how much power appliances can use. In fact, this device has prevented me from purchasing an LCD or Plasma TV, for my old 32 in CRT uses about half the power (~80 Watts) of a 42in LCD. I'd wager that it uses less than a 32in LCD for that matter.
I was really disappointed with the LCD TV power usage, because my computer monitor (17in) uses around 30 watts.


I'll wait until the technology improves before I decide to spend money on a TV that will cost me more to operate than my current set.

[Cylenchar]

Don't have one, but what I have started doing is all my electronics (computer, tv, stereo sytem, game systems), are on powerstrips. This helps reduce the phantom charges.

[jimstolz76]

I do, among other things, home theater installations. I've found that a certain brand of surround sound receiver draws 68 watts when it's in standby mode. That's 68 watts x 24 hours per day... it's like leaving a light on, and that's if you never turn it on...

I've just started to use power management when designing a system so that everything is plugged in to a power center that is totally 'off'. The remote control will trigger a relay which will allow power to go to the power strip and THEN turn on all the devices.

It's a little nit-picky do be doing something like this on devices that draw so much power when used, but I feel like I'm doing something 'for the greater good'

[Bruce Wayne]

I havn't used this device specifically but do use a similar device and it's great for finding out which devices are burning cash when they don't need to.

[Ima saver]

Yes, I have used mine and it makes me much more aware of how much power i am using.