Energy-saving gadgets
Antonia Felix, Special to the Gazette
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wrap up your water heater, seal your windows, install a programmable thermostat, change your furnace filter—these tips are standard fare for anyone trying to keep their heating bills under control. It’s good advice to keep in mind.
But a slew of new high-tech gadgets are expanding our options for being smart about energy use.
Take the Energy Detective, which monitors your entire household’s electrical usage. Although it’s the most expensive gizmo listed in this article, it gives you a close look at your energy use that may pay for itself in a short time. The TED 1000, at about $120, will immediately show the power drain when you turn on a 10-watt bulb.
With that kind of sensitivity, you can get a good idea of which appliances and devices are hogging your energy supply. The display on the small device also shows you the cost of your electricity in real time. TED’s optional computer software, Footprints, allows you to track every detail of your energy use on your computer.
To read the complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.
ZaneRokklyn (anonymous) says...
For a lot less money you can get a Kill-A-Watt meter that will test any plug-in appliance. I don't know about you, but I don't need a meter to tell me how much power a 10 watt bulb uses!
November 21, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )