By Lisa Merolla, Staff Writer
With one simple experiment, the Princeton Public Library discovered a way of saving around $6,500 a year. It didn’t take much — just a small device called the Kill-a-Watt meter.
The meter lets people measure just how much energy their appliances are consuming. Armed with that information, they can adjust their appliance use and cut energy costs.
That’s exactly what the library did.
Librarian Bob Keith used the Kill-a-Watt meter to test staff computers, determining a logged-off computer consumes 61 more watts than one in the standby state. A look at energy prices and a simple calculation showed the library could save thousands of dollars by putting its 55 staff computers on standby when not in use.
”Everybody was pretty surprised,” Mr. Keith recalled.
Now, Princeton residents can discover similar savings in their homes by borrowing a Kill-a-Watt meter from the library. Available since June 1, the meters are in great demand.
”Our four Kill-a-Watt meters have been checked out constantly since their first day,” said Susan Darkhosh, the manager of the Lending Services Department. “So far nine people have taken them out and 10 people are in the hold queue.”
The meters were donated to the library by the Princeton Environmental Commission and the Sustainable Princeton Initiative.
Steve Hiltner, a member of the environmental commission, said he hoped people would gain a better understanding of household energy consumption.
”People are trying to reduce energy use, but everyone is pretty much in the dark about how much energy appliances use,” he said. “A lot of things use energy whether they are turned on or off, and the only way to figure out how much energy they are using is with the meter.”
The library’s meters come with a set of instructions written by the environmental commission, but users say they are simple to figure out. Just plug the device into the wall, and plug the appliance into the device to obtain the reading.
The meter can tell the number of watts being used at one specific time; for example, it will show if an 1,800-watt hairdryer actually consumes that amount. The meter also can provide a reading in kilowatt-hours if it runs for a longer period of time. Energy companies charge per kilowatt-hour, so that value is useful for determining how much money an appliance is costing.
Mr. Hiltner said the Kill-a-Watt meter can test any appliance with a standard plug. This rules out appliances such as some washing machines or an electric dryer, but most other appliances are compatible. Mr. Hiltner has tested refrigerators, computers, televisions, toasters, dehumidifiers and vacuum cleaners.
”I was surprised by my 4-in-1 printer,” he said, referring to the combination of printer, scanner, copier and fax machine. “That thing would be using 19 watts when you’re not using it. That’s more than a fluorescent light bulb, on all the time. Even turned off completely, it was still using 8 watts.”
The Kill-a-Watt meters cost $25, but because they are not available locally, they must be purchased online. Mr. Hiltner hoped having meters in the library would make them more convenient for Princeton residents.
”It’s the kind of thing that if you use it for a couple weeks experimenting around the house, you can get a lot of information,” he said. “It seemed like the perfect thing to lend out.”
The library is happy to offer the Kill-a-Watt meters to the Princeton community, said Tim Quinn, the public information director at the library. The timing is good for such a device, Mr. Quinn added.
”People are in a general energy saving mood when they are pulling up to the pumps and seeing that gas prices are $4,” he said. “It’s worked out that we were able to offer this device at a time when there seems to be a heightened awareness of energy use and cost.”
Mr. Quinn said Kill-a-Watt meters fit nicely with the library’s mission. The library already has supported environmental causes through its annual Environmental Film Festival. The program features documentaries and talks about different environmental topics, including sustainability, organic food and global warming.
The library is also committed to new technology, Mr. Quinn said. The library runs a Technology Center that offers assistance with computer programs and allows library users to experiment with digital cameras and MP3 players.
”We’re sort of at the forefront in putting technology in people’s hands to where they can make informed decisions,” Mr. Quinn said.
The meters have attracted attention ever since the library advertised them in its monthly newsletter. People can reserve the meters on the Princeton Library’s online catalog by doing a keyword search for “Kill-a-Watt.” They are loaned out for a two-week period.
Steve Schultz is one person to already test the Kill-a-Watt meter. He was able to bypass the waiting list at the library by borrowing his friend Mr. Hiltner’s meter.
Mr. Schultz used the meter to compare his fans and window air-conditioning units. The fans used about 120 watts, much less than the air-conditioners. One unit used 600 watts, while another consumed 1,100.
”When I saw the reading, I turned it off and opened the windows,” Mr. Schultz said.
He had figured fans would use less energy than the air-conditioners, but seeing the actual numbers really made the difference hit home. Mr. Schultz recommended other people test the Kill-a-Watt meters to better understand appliances’ energy consumption.
”You may think you’re saving power when you’re not, or you may be missing an opportunity to save power,” he said. “This device helps you with that.”
Watts in your house?
&n bsp; Just ho w many watts are your h ousehold appliances usin g?
T o answer that question, St eve Hiltner, a member of the Princeton Environme ntal Commission, tested appliances around his ho me.
Pick up a Kill-a-Watt meter from the Princeton Public Library and comp are your appliances’ ener gy consumption to these examples:
• Toa ster oven – 1,400 w atts.
• Vacuum cl eaner – 1,000 watts.
&n bsp; • Hairdryer – 400 to 1,500 watts, depending o n the setting.
&nbs p; • M icrowave – 1,900 w atts.
• New Dell P C with thin screen – ; 150 watts.
• Old Dell PC with bigger scree n – 35 watts.
•&n bsp;Refrigerator – 1 70 watts with the motor r unning.
&n bsp;Mr. Hiltner’s complet e list can be found at http ://princetonprimer.blogs pot.com.
