Tony Juniper
Our friends Linda and Paul have recently become electricity-saving paragons — and one reason is their new energy meter. Research shows that they are not alone. The more we know about how much energy we are using, the more likely we are to save it.
There is a wide range of wireless electricity meters on the market. A sensor is clipped to the mains cable near the fuse box and connects to a transmitter. This sends information to a display unit, showing you, in real time, how much electricity is being used in your home.
The display can be placed anywhere, but it is obviously best to choose somewhere everyone will see it. The effect of running various appliances will be immediately obvious: switching on power-hungry devices such as kettles or toasters sends the readout rocketing; turning appliances off sends the numbers tumbling. It’s simple, but effective in changing behaviour.
The meter we use is the Wattson (£99.95; see diykyoto.com for stockists). This popular device shows your power usage either in watts presently being consumed or in terms of annual cost. It also has a pleasant colourful glow, depending on how much power is being used: blue for low usage, purple for medium, red for high.
The Wattson is simple to set up and data collected can be uploaded to your computer. If you generate your own electricity, there are further options. The manufacturer says that, according to a survey of its customers, the device leads to an average cut of 20% in electricity use.
At £39.95, the Efergy Elite is a less expensive option (see efergy.com). As well as real-time power usage, it will display daily, weekly and monthly totals. Some power companies supply free energy meters. See if yours will — and, if it doesn’t, ask why.
We waste vast quantities of power: the Energy Saving Trust estimates that 8% of our electricity is used to keep appliances on standby, and that UK households spend about £140m a year leaving lights on in unused rooms. So fit a meter — you have a lot to gain.
Tony Juniper is an environmental campaigner and former director of Friends of the Earth
greenhouse@sunday-times.co.uk
