To help patrons save energy, the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough is now circulating two “Kill-a-Watt” monitors, which let you check energy usage in your home.  The energy monitors, which will circulate for 1 week, will tell you how much power your computer, television, fans, hair dryer, or other electrical devices are using.  Once you have that information, you can figure out how much each device is costing you.

The monitors can also tell you how much power some household items are using when your think they’re “turned off” – when nobody’s using them, and you thought they weren’t costing you anything.  These are called “vampire” or “phantom” loads.  While some things don’t use electricity when they are turned off, some things do, and it’s hard to guess.  This power consumption might be a small amount per device, but when totaled up, electronic equipment can add a significant amount to your electric bill, especially if it’s left “on” all night.

Here are some more ideas on how to use the Kill-a-Watt monitor:

• Compare the power consumption of laptop versus desktop computers – check them at idle and then while playing video
• If you have a power strip with printer, computer, etc., check the individual units and the whole strip
• Compare power consumption between 2 TVs
• Measure your cable box electric usage (there’s a reason why they run hot!)
• Check power used by a game console.

Stop by the library to check out a “Kill A Watt” monitor.  The library also has a large and growing collection of books on fighting global warming and saving on energy costs.