Some of you may know about this device, but I am still throwing it out there for those of you who might not. There is a device on the market known as a Kill-A-Watt. What this technology does is measure how much power you are using from an outlet. It plugs in to a standard outlet and then you plug a device or powerstrip into the Kill-A-Watt. It then tells you such things as how many Kwh you are using, watts at any given time and even the line voltage you are getting.

This is a great way to find vampire loads in your house and understand where all that juice is going.

I have one of these devices and while useful for a short period of time, if you are diligent and aren't using it for a business, it just sits around. I think its something we should all do.... The looking into how much out appliances and electronics draw from the wall when on and when "off" but I don't think that paying for this device and then letting it sit around is ideal. I think it would be really cool if some hardware store would rent these out for a day or two and just let people do what they need to do and return it. I know some contractors and green consultants have these and those are the only people I think should be buying them.

How much does one of these things cost and where can I go to test one before I buy it. I like the idea and I can share it amongst the family.

I saw these on Planet Green I think. Seems like a lot of effort to find out that you are wasteful and that when lights (even LEDs) are on they are using power. I think everyone has vampire loads, so why not just cut to the chase and start doing something. There is a massive trend of analysis and investigating the problems but very few actually do the grunt work and fix the issues at hand. Too many are content just knowing that they have energy usage issues rather than fixing them.

I use one when I move my clients into there homes to help show them where the power they are using is going. Some could care less and we simply look at a few appliances. Some want to borrow the device so they can play around. I have two now just for that reason. I think its good for people to know where the power is going, and what they do or don't do with that information is up to them. People have to have access to the information first and the actions will follow once there is an impetus to do so. That impetus is here or is coming for some.

Another added benefit of some of the kill-a-watt models is that they will measure the line voltage and other characteristics of the electricity coming into your home so that you can monitor and catch any issues before they become problems.

Mine doesn't do that. How many models are there and what's the one that tests line voltages and such?