Libraries across St Albans City and District are to loan out electricity monitors so that residents can find out how much electricity their household is using, the cost of that energy and the amount of CO2 emissions they are producing.

In a trial initiative organised by St Albans City and District Council, St Albans Central Library and Harpenden Library have been offering residents a free three-week loan of the devices. This trial has been so successful that the Council has now arranged for electricity monitors to be available on loan from all the libraries in the District.
Studies have shown that by using an electricity monitor households become more aware of how energy is being wasted and, by changing their behaviour, can reduce the amount of their energy bills.

The electricity monitors are simple to use. All residents have to do is clip a transmitter onto their electricity meter so that the wireless device can display real-time information about their usage. As they wander around the house throughout the day, switching appliances on and off, they can then see which appliances use the most energy. The more appliances that are switched on, the higher the values displayed on the monitor. Each of the electricity monitors come with instructions, a battery recharger and rechargeable batteries, where required.

Councillor Geoff Churchard, portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, at St Albans City and District Council said: “These electricity monitors will help residents understand their energy consumption, and offer them the opportunity make savings on the amount of their energy bills.”