P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
by P3 INTERNATIONAL
|
List Price: Our Price: $14.99 You Save: $15.00 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
Customer Review: Very handy gadget
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been cutting down a lot on my energy usage recently, and I wanted something that would help me see just how much of a difference my efforts were making, so I decided to order a kill-a-watt. When I first received it, I went around my whole house testing out gadgets to see just how much energy they use. I was quite surprised by a lot of items. I have an air purifier that stays on almost 24/7 so I was sure that it was hogging a lot of energy, however I was only using a mere 13 watts! Now I can feel comfortable about leaving it on without worrying about my energy bill.
Now whenever I get a new gadget, I always test it with my kill-a-watt meter so I can set limits on how much I use that gadget. My energy bill has definitely went down since I have been using this, and I am even going to bring it to my mom's house to try to get her to change her energy-draining ways.
My only complaint is that it covers both outlets. I am thinking about ordering the extender to combat this.
Customer Review: It does what it is supposed to do
Summary: 5 Stars
The p3 killawatt does what it is supposed to do - measure the electrical use of different plugged in appliances. I had to do some research to understand the difference between active power and real power so I could know which one our power company uses to measure our power use (it's active power) and it would help if the manual pointed that out. Also I use it with an extension cord because it is hard to read if you just plug it into an outlet. The most important thing I learned is regarding the power consumption of several devices controlled by remotes - they can be consuming a fair amount of power when they are off - because they aren't really turned off. My measurement of our household electricity use is not quite complete as I am still unable to measure electicity use of appliances which are directly linked to power supply and do not go through an outlet. I am pleased with the device and reccomend it to anyone who wants to know more about their electricity consumption.Customer Review: Great overall, but could use some work
Summary: 5 Stars
This device is great. It's relatively cheap (far cheaper than anything similar I've seen out there) and it does exactly what they say it does. It's very useful to know how much power the major devices in your home are using. For example, I had no idea that my computer was drawing 200W at IDLE, so now I know that I should upgrade my power supply to a more efficient one.
Rave reviews aside, the design of this device could certainly use some work. If you plug it into an outlet, you will lose both outlets as it is so big it covers both no matter which one you plug it into. The screen is flat, extremely difficult to read at any sort of angle, and does not tilt. This is not a very intelligent design for a product that will typically be plugged in about 1 foot off of the ground. What they could do to fix this: instead of plugging directly into the wall, give it a cord. Then you could at least pick up the device to read it, and you wouldn't lose both outlets.
Customer Review: Great Device - Great Savings Tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchsed this item in July 2008; after many months of watching my appliances & devices, I've cut my electric bill by about 35%.
No issues with the device, just plug in and go.
If you have an appliance that you wonder about, you can leave it plugged into the kill a watt; and allow it to log usage -- this is helpful in determining as in my case if an appliance is just so old that it's an energy hog. My refrigerator I replaced as a result of using this method, it used enough in a month to warrant replacing with a new model; and will pay for itself in about 8 months from the energy savings -- and the bright side, I now have an ice maker.
I'd recommend doing just that on refrigerators; since they cycle on/off constantly throughout the day, You'll not have to *guess* how much it runs, or if your measure with the kill a watt was when the compressor was off; and have a false sense that it's a saver.
Customer Review: Kill A Watt
Summary: 5 Stars
Everyone needs this monitor. When complaining about the cost of power bills you might be shocked to find out how much your are paying just for technology you have plugged in around your house and not being used. As Vice Chair of the Efficiency and Conservation Sub Committee for the State of Alabama we are looking at implementing a technology call "GreenSwitch". GreenSwitch will turn off all lights, turn up or down theromstats, and turn off all electrical outlets when you are not home or "retired for the night". We were absolutely shocked at how much "vampire power" is being "sucked" out of hour homes. The DOE says this is 10%-15% of our powerbills. We highly recommend all states adopt this technology. It is simple and it works. Everyone knows how to turn a switch on or off. That is all you have to do with this technology (GreenSwitch).
Stan J. Trott
Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy
State of Alabama