Ever wonder how much electricity your computer uses?   Maybe your TV, Xbox, or cell phone charger, even when they are turned off?   Interested in how many watts your kitchen appliances suck? 

Electricity bills are rising, but you can help reduce your costs by finding out what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in. A Kill-A-Watt meter can help.

The UMD Library now has two Kill a Watt meters available for one-week loan periods.  The kit includes an easy-to-use meter (plug and read!) and complete instructions.  To request a meter, visit the UMD library home page at http://www.d.umn.edu/lib/index.htm and click on the Reserve area (search Titles for "Kill a watt meter"). 

Or simply ask at the reserve desk for the Title:  Kill a watt meter, Library Reserve Media, KIT.

Electricity-saving tip:  Consider using the Kill a Watt meter to measure the number of watts that your appliances and chargers are using, both when turned on and when turned off.  The watts being used when appliances are off are simply wasted.  (Hint:  check out your new DTV converter box!).  To eliminate electricity usage when appliances are not in use, consider using power strips, especially in high-use areas such as a media center
and/or a computer desk.  Just flip the switch on the power strip to eliminate phantom power!