How to Check Electricity and Energy Use
Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed
Do you know how much energy each of my 30″ monitors takes up? Do you know how much they cost me on a monthly basis? More importantly… how much does YOUR computer cost you a month? Do you even know, or know how to find out? I just received my Electricity bill for the months of November and December. Let’s just say, I need to do some troubleshooting, and figure out how to lower my costs.
Last year on my holiday wish list, I had an item from ThinkGeek listed. The Watts Up Pro will give you a readout of information from whatever you plug into it. Simply plug any device into Watt’s Up and the meter instantaneously displays the wattage being used, as well as 18 other values, including average monthly cost. The device records this data into non-volatile memory (stored even if power is lost). One thousand seven hundred data points are stored, starting with a sampling rate resolution of one second. It records any power interruptions, which is extremely handy when performing an audit of several devices. Watt’s Up is also capable of real-time logging. It even includes a payback calculator software utility, which automatically calculates the time required for a new energy efficient appliance to pay for itself!
Here is some of the information you can receive with this:
- Cost, in dollars and cents
- Frequency
- Volt-Amps
- Average monthly cost
- Power factor
- True power
- Average monthly kwh
- Cumulative power (kwh)
- Power cycle
If you know of other Tech gadgets that we could use around our house that are user-friendly… be sure to leave me a follow-up comment, or send an email to me at chris@pirillo.com.
- JavaCityWarehouse: Wholesale Consumer Electronic Suppliers.
- Dr. Wayne Dyers 10 Secrets.
- Learn To Play Electronic Keyboards.
- Electronic Repair Information.
- E-Newsletters That Work.
- Pro-Surf-Secrets.
- Twisted Pair Software.
- The HiPaCC Diet Program.
- Official Faa Pilot License Training Kits.
- 597 Ready To Use Business Letters Electronic Library.
Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:
Private Domain Registration from GoDaddy is a smart thing to do. When you register a domain, your contact information is immediately made available to anyone who wants to see it. Plus, as a listener of The Chris Pirillo Show, enter code CHRIS2 when you check out, and save an additional $5 off any order of $30 or more. Get your piece of the internet at GoDaddy!
36 Comments
Windows Vista Torrent
January 24th, 2008
at 6:25am
Tech InterviewsHow to Check Electricity and Energy UseChumby Widget Hawaii To Do List Tetris Game Without a Download: Netris! Vacation Credit Card Tips How to be a Good Software Programmer Gimme Gimme Gimme Reasons I Might Never Move to Hawaii
tooomp
January 23rd, 2008
at 7:56pm
Can anyone tell me how a flat screen monitor compares in usage to a traditional tube monitor? I was wondering if electrical savings could pay for the upgrade.
electrotek
January 23rd, 2008
at 8:32pm
for UK Youtuber`s…
Plug-in-Mains powered Energy Monitor now sale price ( £9.99p ) Maplins Offers Cat p.11
as of 23rd Jan 08…Cheeers and thanks for the video Chris :)
geyser
January 24th, 2008
at 12:09am
What part of the country is Chris from? Where did he grow up?
komoh
January 24th, 2008
at 12:19am
thats one tight piece of technology dude shitt i wish i had on of those. AWESOME
leerenton22
January 24th, 2008
at 12:26am
heyy why dont you stop the live streaming
DavinTerrizzi
January 24th, 2008
at 12:37am
He was born in Des Moines, Iowa but he lives in Seattle Washington.
gnfnr211
January 24th, 2008
at 12:38am
i use a mac mini
voltrabbit7
January 24th, 2008
at 1:09am
I have to offer this guy a beer from the Pike street brewery some time.
Its on me Chris!
FabioCrow07770
January 24th, 2008
at 2:04am
Chris just tape a magnet to your electric metter,It works :D
geyser
January 24th, 2008
at 2:24am
Thanks, I was trying to place his accent.
tysonxguitar
January 24th, 2008
at 5:37am
Thats where Slipknot is from!… and Chris ownz all =D
panda8a24
January 24th, 2008
at 5:56am
number 22
HEarl114
January 24th, 2008
at 6:22am
haha nice one
Smartguy87
January 23rd, 2008
at 11:42pm
This is a HUGE problem that most people underestimate when setting up a new computer. So many computers have been fried due to surges.
H1P2S
January 24th, 2008
at 7:03am
My physics teacher told my class ( years ago) how to calculate the cost of energy, Unfortunately i cannot remember how to calculate it now. I wish i knew, beats buying a gadget,
fxtfusion
January 24th, 2008
at 11:54am
3rd try.
Aisomar
January 24th, 2008
at 12:18pm
LATER DUDE I was just seen you in live its awesome
phantomdata
January 24th, 2008
at 5:39am
I use the Kill-A-Watt for these purposes. True, you have to do the calculations by hand – but it costs a paltry $20 and gets you the info you need to figure out just how much everything’s using. I’ve got some of my data posted on my blog if you’re interested. Do post your data too Chris!
kamakaze28
January 24th, 2008
at 12:53pm
those arent stupid ass lights those are his clocks
mankirk
January 24th, 2008
at 6:03am
Neat gadget, but can it save you $140 in the first year to pay for itself.
lankuzo
January 24th, 2008
at 7:34am
I never leave my computer on when im not using it so i dont think i use that much power. Probably could unplug the whole system then i wouldnt use anything when im not there. saving money is cool
Steve A.
January 24th, 2008
at 8:15am
The ‘kill-a-watt’ is much cheaper (1/5th the cost) than this product you’re trying to hawk. It doesn’t have as many data points, and won’t do the calculations for you, but for $100 less, I think you could break out a calculator.
sanity93
January 24th, 2008
at 8:46pm
See this is slightly striking, there is gap between what you are saying and what you are doing… Running 5+ servers a huge screen and checking your emails every 1 minute (and not replying). Maybe you could multiply your total page views by the total time of the videos * all session user times in IRC and work out your production’s total energy wastage globally?
Liberator
January 24th, 2008
at 10:02pm
i usually unplug my computer when i am not at home so i save so money. the thing that waists the energy i those mac charger bricks because it is constantly sucking energy even wen it doesn’t need to.
travitherabbii
January 24th, 2008
at 11:12pm
That Watts Up Pro is really cool. I might just try and get it so I can see I can lower my electricity.
TheCouncellor
January 25th, 2008
at 6:40am
I got two monitors printer,scanner,disc drive,tower I switch it all off at the socket at night being in the bedroom i fancy all that electric power will have an effect on my body or brain it must put some energy in to the air. Am i getting paranoid.
battlestork
January 25th, 2008
at 9:56am
wow u guys are teh nerds, lol!
getsom life ok?
Eric (Bowler4Ever)
January 25th, 2008
at 3:10pm
I sometimes do like to leave some stuff on overnight, it’s really a habit. Perhaps maybe I might reconsider to save energy. Looks like a great tool, Chris. I’m sure it’s come in handy several times. I mean, who knew a power reader could tell you so much!?
Coins
January 25th, 2008
at 4:52pm
Its really helpful to know this information do, I just got a 500+ bill, and i was not surprised, I myself and my family leave almost everything on, and never turn it off, Big things like, Desktops, Tvs, Draw alot of power. I myself order 2 of the Watts-up-pro and soon will be getting them.
Thanks for the great review, helps alot, and im on my way to see what is making my bill so high.
davidraymen
January 26th, 2008
at 2:49am
This video has been seen 3744x
LocoPCtheoneandonly
January 26th, 2008
at 3:13am
Everybody needs energy alright
Check some of the many NIGHTWISH videos available (the ones featuring Tarja Turunen)
WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!!!
If you are into classical music… check my posted videos bro
Take care
Techbuff
January 25th, 2008
at 9:35pm
Chris, Thanks for the info. I have been wondering how much energy my computer is costing $ me. I will check out thinkgeek.com. Thnaks for everything you do ;)
PCguy102
January 29th, 2008
at 9:16am
My monthly bill: $200
overmind2
January 29th, 2008
at 12:10pm
my bill 35$ since I have a wind turbine in my backyard :D
krsone2010
January 30th, 2008
at 1:00pm
I have always wanted to know how much my PVR took for power. Thanks for the video Chris.