Knowledge is power – and until recently it has been very difficult for residential electricity users to find out what their power usage really looks like. Oh sure, the electric company puts neat little graphics on your bill and shows you your total use, but can’t provide you with detailed information. They know you used the kilowatts, they don’t know what you used them for.
Enter the Kill-A-Watt, one of the handiest little devices available to the energy smart consumer. There are several models with varying levels of features and displays, starting from around $20, but the basic idea is simple: plug your electrical appliance or device into the Kill-A-Watt and use it normally. The Kill-A-Watt tracks and records the electricity used and displays it for you on command.
It could not be simpler to use, and it gives you the tool you need to really take a whack at your electric bill. When you know which appliances are costing you a fortune and which are actually hardly drawing power at all, you can focus your conservation efforts on the areas where it pays off. The Kill-A-Watt will pay for itself in your first month’s electric bill, and the money you save through better conservation will accumulate month after month.
