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Kill-A-Watt
Track energy consumption with the Kill-A-Watt Usage Monitor. An LCD readout displays energy consumption by the kilowatt-hour with a 0.2 percent accuracy rate and monitors voltage, line frequency and power factor.
Activity
1) Obtain a Kill-A-Watt. (* See below for purchasing or borrowing one.)
2) Do an Internet search for information on how other people have been using the Kill-A-Watt.
3) Select an item that you want to monitor. (Television, appliance, etc.)
(Be sure that the current requirement of the item is under the 15 ampere rating of the Kill-A-Watt.)4) Place the Kill-A-Watt between the power receptacle and the item to be monitored.
5) Record the date and time of day and also the amperes, power (watts), and power factor under different conditions (when the item being monitored is turned off, turned on, etc.).
(Some items, such as a refrigerator, may not run all the time but rather be controlled by a thermostat or other means.)6) If possible, leave the Kill-A-Watt connected for one or more days. The Kill-A-Watt will record the total kilowatt-hours used by the item being monitored. When recording the cumulative kilowatt-hours, record the date and time of day as well.
7) Review a recent power bill for the residence or building where the item is connected. Calculate the cost per kilowatt-hour of the power being consumed by the item.
8) Download and review the .pdf file that shows how the power in Wayne County, OH is generated. Note the portion that is generated using fossil fuel combustion.
(Those in other areas should be able to get this information from their power companies. Check the web site first.)9) Do an Internet search to determine the quantity of greenhouse gas (CO2) emitted for every kilowatt-hour used at the consumer level.
10) Assuming that the energy consumed by the item being monitored is consistent on a day-to-day basis, calculate the following (under different conditions, such as on and off, if appropriate):
A) Monthly and annual energy consumption (kilowatt-hours);
B) Monthly and annual energy cost;
C) Monthly and annual quantity of greenhouse gas that is put into the environment specific to this item.
* Several Kill-A-Watts are available for loan from the WCSEN library. The most recent purchase of five units was made from www.cyberguys.com where they were on sale for $20 each. Cyberguys Kill-A-Watt page