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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Have you got one of those electricity monitoring gadgets that tell you how much you're using?

25 replies

BroccoliSpears · 05/12/2008 19:53

What sort have you got?
Where did you get it from?
How much did it cost?
Is it good?
Anything else?

Am sure dh would love one for Christmas, but got to get one in a mad rush so any pointers greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

meglet · 05/12/2008 19:56

I borrowed one for a while and thought it was really helpful.

It freaked us out about how much energy certain appliances use. Even little things like the kitchen lights ate electricity.

These days I am totally obsessed and turn off any unused lights. I would like to get one permanently.

Original poster

BroccoliSpears · 05/12/2008 19:56

What sort did you borrow?
How big was it?
How did it work?

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meglet · 05/12/2008 20:03

I'm not sure what brand it was. My mum worked for an energy supplier so got one for us to try out. It was about the size of a photo (4 x 6?).

We had to connect a wire/clip thingy to the fuse box (I think that's how it worked, DP actually did it) and it transmitted the energy readings to the monitor.

If we had been really organised we could have inputted our energy prices and rates so it would have given us our actual useage in hard cash, but we never got round to that part. Just watching it go through the roof when the tumble dryer was on was enough for us.

Bink · 05/12/2008 20:04

We've got a Wattson (link goes to homepage but you can search by its name) - good bit more expensive than others available but it's a lovely thing to have around. Gave it to dh last Christmas ... no such inspiration this year, sigh.

For the first several months of having it, ds & dd used to stand fixatedly watching the numbers and the colours change. Visitors still do it! It really does sharpen your awareness of electricity use, too - the microwave, the tumble drier and the kettle do shocking things to the display, and it makes switching off lights become automatic.

Would really recommend, if the price is OK with you. It has much more presence (and therefore effect, I think) than those weeny handheld more budget ones.

IotasCat · 05/12/2008 20:06

We have an owl. It was half price In B & Q

Original poster

BroccoliSpears · 05/12/2008 20:07

A real owl? Does it hoot when you forget to take the television off standby?

OP posts:

Original poster

BroccoliSpears · 05/12/2008 20:08

That Wattson looks good but it is a bit pricy. . Also need to have it before Wednesday so ordering online might be a risk.

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callmeovercautious · 05/12/2008 20:12

Owl here

We have one too and it is great. I go on about it all the time on here now

They cost about £29 now but shop about - deals on everything atm!

We actually got given ours but in the time we have had it - about 4 months - we have easily saved the price of it just by noticing how much things really cost to leave on standby. It would make an unusual Christmas pressie for your DH especially if he is into gadgets like mine

IotasCat · 05/12/2008 20:13

Ha ha broccoli. A owl will cost you about £30

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 05/12/2008 20:14

oooo I want one of those

callmeovercautious · 05/12/2008 20:14

Amazon have the Owl - not sure how much but you could get it by then if you pay the right delivery option.

IotasCat · 05/12/2008 20:15

X post callme

Bink · 05/12/2008 20:15

I do know the Wattson is the luxe option. But the ethicalsuperstore where I got it from is very good at efficient service & delivery & everything. Maybe they do an alternative?

callmeovercautious · 05/12/2008 20:16

I love spreading the word on these things

Soon it will be as indispensible to MNetters as the Mooncup

meglet · 05/12/2008 20:16

just looked at the website, we had an Owl.

I want a Wattson now .

callmeovercautious · 05/12/2008 20:24

Ah ha! Monitor envy

WingsofaChristmasTreefairy · 05/12/2008 20:25

We got one with our energy supplier.

Original poster

BroccoliSpears · 05/12/2008 20:27

The Wattson is very much prettier. The good news for me is that the prettiness would be cmpletely wasted on dh - he is a man who likes a gadget to look like a gadget. (When I asked for an oven timer he bought me this.)

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callmeovercautious · 05/12/2008 20:33

A Maplin man I see - definately a strong candidate for the Owl!

Seriously, they have to check out the hourly rate and enter data and everything so if he is that type he will love it. Just be prepared for sighs and sulking when you put the kettle on - or god forbid the oven to cook Dinner

lizziemun · 05/12/2008 20:37

DH has the owl,and sits looking at it while he is playing on his computer. Mind you if he comes in and watches a film with and he brings it with in

Original poster

BroccoliSpears · 05/12/2008 20:39

Wondering if there's anywhere I can buy an Owl not online.

Not having any luck googling so might have to risk it.

OP posts:

Original poster

BroccoliSpears · 05/12/2008 20:40

Lol at Lizzie's dh bringing it in with him

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callmeovercautious · 05/12/2008 20:53

Ours came from Tesco but that was in the Summer. Might be worth looking in a big store - do you have a Tesco Extra nearby? I am sure if you ring first they can tell you.

If not they have them on Tesco direct I think.

littlefrog · 06/12/2008 18:59

If anyone (else) is getting one of these, I recommend the Efergy - the next generation on from the Owl. We have the Owl and I wish we had the Efergy, mainly because it has a sort of 'history' feature - tells you how your current usage differs from your ordinary usage, how much you've used in a day (i think) etc. THe thing with the Owl is that though it tells you that the oven costs you 25p/hr while it's heating, that doesn't actually tell you how much having the oven ON for an hour costs (it doesn't cost much to just maintain temperature).
Go for the Efergy! They were quite cheap in Maplin a while ago, maybe £35, cf Owl £30.

callmeovercautious · 06/12/2008 20:50

I can't see DH letting me get another so soon. Perhaps it is not too late for you though BS?

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