from Karla in Arcadia, WI:
#835
Does Focus on Energy have a power calculator for consumers to use?
You can check out a watt meter at a library near you.
Watt meters help you measure the amount of electricity being used. "Standby power” or “phantom load" is the energy that appliances and electronics use even when turned off – to power features such as clock displays, remote controls and indicator lights. In the average home, more than 50 percent of the electricity used to power electronics is consumed while the devices are turned off. In Wisconsin homes, this wasted energy accounts for four cents to seven cents of every dollar you spend on electricity and takes a hefty toll on the environment.
Using a watt meter is a fun way to find out how much electricity your home appliances and electronics consume. (A watt meter is an electronic instrument that measures the power (watts) used by devices. When you plug the meter into the appliance, you can measure how much electricity your appliances/electronics are using and what they are costing you.) Plug the watt meter into an outlet, and then plug a device into the watt meter. Try it with the device on, then turn it off to see the difference—and to catch a glimpse of "standby power” at work! Visit your local library to see if they have a watt meter you can borrow.
And remember that ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances and electronics use up to 60 percent less energy than standard models. So when you’re looking to buy new devices, look for the ENERGY STAR!
Published Tuesday, March 29, 2011