Power & energy monitor - Money saving?

Kazonline

I've tried to get hold of one via freecycle but no joy. My ele bill has been extortionate this year (6053 kwh), but trying to educate my lads (ok, and me) as to how important it is to keep each thing down (tv off when not used, how expensive the TD is etc) isn't proving easy. Access to the meter is an EXTREME nightmare, and with so many things running at once it's hard to monitor consumption and pin point costs.
There's an offer on at the moment which would allow me to get one for £15 inc P&P. Is this a good spend, or is it a waste of cash? (I've posted it on this board because you all know my current situation - ie in debt, lol)
Kaz x
PS if I cut my ele bill by just 10% it'll save me nearly £68 in a year with my current supplier

Tallymanjohn

It's a better thing to borrow than to buy because once you've used it on individual items around the house it's a bit pointless, so either ask around locally for the loan of one, or you could always buy it & then rent it out I suppose. Mine's doing the round of friend's/family at the moment - haven't seen it for a couple of months....

justruth

I know the meter cupbaord is a bit of a hassle to get to but you could always try checking the consumption for 28 days this month as normal, then really making the effort next month to turn everything off at the plug at night, using energy saving bulbs and aviod using the TD for next month for a simple comparrison. On seeing the energy savings you could think of something that you all would prefer that money to go to. Also Uswitch so that you get the best deal.

methekidsandthecat

Hi

Can you tell me where you have found the monitor devise - I have 2 teenagers who do not believe me when I keep telling them that turning off electrical appliances will save money. To be actually able to show them would be very helpful.

I was also wondering if spending the money to purchase long life bulbs is also cost effective....

Thankyou for raising this question.
ME

Jonesya

methekidsandthecat wrote:

I was also wondering if spending the money to purchase long life bulbs is also cost effective....

Low energy light bulbs pay for themselves several times over during their life:

As an example:

Electricity costs ~8 pence/kwh (approximate figure, possibly a bit low)
100w light bulb, costs ~20p, lasts 1000 hours.
100w equivalent low energy bulb uses 20w, lasts 8000 hours, costs ~£4

Over the 8000 hours eg. the life of the low energy bulb:

100w light bulb:

8000 hours * 0.1 kw * 0.08 £/kwh = £64 of electricity
8 bulbs * £0.20 per bulb = £1.60 for bulbs
Total: £65.60

20w low energy bulb:
8000 hours * 0.02 kw * 0.08 £/kwh = £12.80 of electricity
1 low energy bulb at £4
Total: £16.80

So the low energy bulb should save ~£49 over it's life.

Kazonline

methekidsandthecat wrote:

Hi

Can you tell me where you have found the monitor devise - I have 2 teenagers who do not believe me when I keep telling them that turning off electrical appliances will save money. To be actually able to show them would be very helpful.

Glad I'm not the only one who's kids think they're making it up! Here's a link to the device http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38343&criteria=energy%20monitor&doy=25m7#vouchers

Being able to tell the kids that using this cost x amount, and that x amount will make a difference. I know that because I now do the same re petrol - I calculate the mileage and tell them the cost. Explaining never worked until I started giving 'actual costings'!
Kaz x

Kaz x

justruth

In that case if it works, then it is not a false economy, if you can't find one on freecycle there's ebay, if there are non on there and you have to pay full price you can either rent it out for a nominal charge or sell it on on ebay.