Consumer Reports Tests Energy Monitors: Kill-A-Watt, Watts Up
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 03.19.09
Kill-a-Watt meter. Photo: Flickr, CC
Guess Watt? They Work
Those of us used to stories with shocking endings and counter-intuitive conclusions will be disappointed by the Consumer Reports piece on energy monitors (more specifically the Kill-A-Watt and the Watts Up). Basically, they work as advertised. Nothing to see here, right? Well, it's certainly reassuring to the owners of those devices and to those who are thinking about buying one (or better: borrowing).
Kill-a-Watt meter. Photo: Flickr, CC
From Consumer Reports:
Kill A Watt and Watts Up were accurate, and both can teach you how much an appliance contributes to utility costs. If that makes you use the appliance less or at lower-cost times of day (ask your utility when those are), you could save money. The devices can also help you compare energy costs of an appliance you own now with projected costs listed on any new one you might buy.
In the green world, we prefer stories that end well anyway...
Tip: See if your public library has some kill-a-watts.
Via Consumer Reports
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