Energy Cost Monitors - now on loan at the Lake Worth Public Library

The Lake Worth Utilities Department Energy Conservation Division and the Lake Worth Public Library are working together to save LW Utilities customers money. Nine energy cost monitors were bought by the Energy Conservation Division and loaned to the library for public use. The units are pre-programmed for the standard 15 cents per kill-a-watt hour charged by Lake Worth Utilities.

Lake Worth Library card holders may check out the monitors for seven days but they must be returned on time. A quick start guide and complete instructions are provided in the monitor’s packaging. The monitors are simple to use, plug them into a wall socket, plug an appliance into the monitor, press a button and it begins monitoring the energy consumption of the selected appliance. After a period of time, press another couple buttons and the monitor will show what the cost is for using the appliance for a day, week, month and year. Library staff will gladly answer questions to help get people started using the monitors.

Monitors can help with real world energy decisions such as: Should I bother to turn that computer off at night? What does it cost me to leave my electronic entertainment devices in stand-by mode? How much does it cost me to keep battery chargers plugged in continuously for convenience? It is hoped that consumers will be more aware of how much energy and money is being constantly wasted. Turning off switches, unplugging unnecessary appliances and chargers could reduce resident’s electric bills by up to 10%.

On Friday, July 2nd the LWU Energy Conservation Division will be holding briefings regarding home energy audits for LWU customers, available rebate programs, and how to best use the energy cost monitors. Briefings will be in the City Hall Annex meeting room at 414 Lake Ave at 10 and 11 am, and again at 2 and 3 pm. Program is free and everyone is welcome to attend.