Energy monitor review – While I have good intentions, I am still guilty of leaving gadgets plugged in when they don’t need to be.
I charge my phone all night and my computer all day and leave the TV plugged in all of the time.
I thought about trying an energy monitor to see how high my household energy consumption was.
Read on for an energy monitor review of Belkin and Kill A Watt products, and how they’ve already made an impact on our energy consumption.
I’m always looking for ways to decrease my environmental impact at home.
I recycle and compost, use the A/C sparingly, and turn the lights off when I leave a room.
I’ve replaced every bulb in my house with an LED one when possible.
Even more, I try to run my dishwasher and washing machine at night during the extreme seasons in the Midwest, in July-August and January-February.
I do it in other months as well if I can.
Still, I knew there were more easy ways to save money on my electric bills.
Energy monitor review
Here are the latest and most practical electricity-saving gadgets I tested.
Belkin Conserve Insight review
The [easyazon_link keywords=”Belkin Conserve Insight” locale=”US” tag=”gogreentravel-20″]Belkin Conserve Insight[/easyazon_link] is an energy monitor that’s incredibly easy to use.
You plug it into the wall, then plug your appliance of choice into the Insight, and you’ll have an energy reading in a matter of minutes.
The display is easy to read.
The Insight can help you prioritize appliance purchases.
How bad is that 30 year old refrigerator, really?
It will even show you the energy usage difference between, say, a lamp with a CFL bulb and the same lamp with an incandescent one.
You can see the results measured in dollars, watts, and CO2 emissions.
You can also use the Cost Tracking Feature to track energy usage of a certain appliance over time to give you a better idea of how much energy you’re using on a longer-term basis.
Conserve Insight is a smart investment for any environmentally conscious household and those who want to save money on their electric bills.
Kill A Watt review
The P3 P4400 Kill A Watt is available at an unbelievably low price for all it does.
It’s easy to use and like the Belkin, I found it incredibly fun to use as well.
It is interesting to see how efficient — or not — you and your electrical appliances really are.
I like this because it gives you a way to cut down on what are usually considered “fixed costs.”
You can actually make a difference in your energy bill!
We all know it is a pain to go around plugging and unplugging appliances.
What’s great now is that you can easily find out which appliances are okay and “worth” being plugged in and which are energy guzzlers that you should unplug if you can.
I would loved to have received this as a gift.
It’s easy to figure out your electrical expenses for the year, month, week, or by the day.
It is wonderful for high-energy users like refrigerators and air conditioners too.
Find out how efficient they are and whether it makes sense to invest in a new one.
Belkin Conserve Socket review
This isn’t really an energy monitor, but it’s in the same category of products.
Work to save money on your energy costs.
I might love the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00VJIIGSU” locale=”US” tag=”gogreentravel-20″]Belkin Conserve Socket[/easyazon_link].
While the energy monitor tells me how much an electrical item is using, this product helps me to do something about it.
It’s so simple to use, yet it has the potential to conserve so much energy.
To use the socket, you simply plug it into an outlet, plug your appliance of choice into the Socket, and set the timer for 30 minutes, 3 hours, or 6 hours.
After the designated time, the Socket turns off and your appliance automatically stops drawing electricity from the outlet.
I use the Socket all of the time when I’m charging my phone or computer, but it would also be great for people who rush out the door in the morning and forget to turn off the toaster oven or curling iron.
If you plug your appliance in and set it for 30 minutes, it will turn off even if you forget to unplug it.
For under $20, you can make your home more sustainable and safer.
Why get a power monitor
There really aren’t many ways you can deliberately save money on major ongoing household bills, and utility bills can really be high, especially at certain times of the year if you don’t live in a temperate climate.
Here’s a real chance to do something about them.
You don’t have to be at the mercy of your appliances and the electric company!
After reading this energy monitor review you can see how gadgets like these are long overdue in the US.
Now they’re widely available, easy to use, and inexpensive.
And they’re fun.
I would recommend them to everyone looking for easy ways to reduce their environmental impact.
They are affordable, and they can end up saving you money on your energy bills.
They make great gifts too.
Now I just need to get some solar panels, and I’ll be all set!