Electricity usage meters are devices that make it possible to monitor the amount of electric power necessary to operate a specific appliance, an entire home, or some type of business facility. Also known as an electricity usage monitor, the electricity usage meter is an ideal way to identify the extent of power use within a given period, and can often help budget-conscious households identify ways to more efficiently use electricity and thus decrease the monthly power bill. Depending on the intended use of the device, a meter of this type can be relatively inexpensive or quite costly.
The simplest designs for the electricity usage meter are those intended for use with individual appliances. Usually available for a small price, these limited use meters are ideal for connecting to household appliances like a refrigerator or washing machine. Most are equipped with a small display that shows the rate of usage of power at different times during the day. It is usually required that the appliance be plugged directly into the meter, which is then plugged directly into the wall. However, there are a few wireless models work very well.
It is also possible to purchase an electricity usage meter that monitors usage for the entire home. Meters of this type are often configured to either be connected near a power or junction box in the home, or to plug directly into one of the existing power outlets. While this type of electricity usage meter does not provide details on how much power is used by individual appliances, it is helpful in determining how much power is used in a given day. This can pave the way for making changes in the daily routine that result in the more efficient use of all appliances in the home, thus reducing power usage.
There are even large models that are ideal for use in factories, office buildings, and a number of commercial settings. These can also help identify situations where extreme amounts of power are consumed. Once the origins for the extreme power consumption are corrected, the meters can be used to continue monitoring the usage, making it possible to identify small problem areas before they have the chance to worsen and create an additional waste of energy within the facility.
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the use of a home electricity usage meter is highly recommended. Some utility providers are already offering customers various types of discounts and other incentives in order to help them afford the purchase of these devices. While it may take some time, the savings in electrical costs will eventually offset the cost of the meters, although some experts say it may take years for those costs to be completely covered by reduced utility bills.