Kill a Watt Meters

Available to Borrow at the REAL Deal and

the Perth, Almonte and Smiths Falls Public Libraries

No charge or deposit required

Have high electricity bills got you alarmed?

The Kill A Watt meter is a handy device that you can use to help identify the power hungry appliances in your home and those responsible for phantom loads. From there you can calculate the cost of running that appliance.

REAL is making three of these devices available for area residents to borrow through the Smiths Falls, Almonte and Perth Public Libraries.

How to Use the Kill A Watt Meter

This meter is very simple to use. Plug the three-prong device into 120 VAC, three-prong (grounded) electrical outlet, and then plug your appliance into the meter.

For appliances that cycle on and off, like fridges, freezers, pumps and water coolers, you will need to keep the Kill a Watt meter plugged in for 24 hours to get an accurate reading.

You will not be able to measure the electrical consumption of appliances that are directly wired, such as stoves, dishwashers, driers, water pumps, furnaces, electric hot water heaters or some lighting fixtures. As well, do not use this device with an inverter.

Use the right hand button to toggle between Kilowatt-Hours (KWh) and cumulative time in hours and minutes, which are displayed on the LCD. Further printed instructions are available with the device.

Further instructions on the use of the Kill a Watt Meter.

Borrowing Terms

Anyone can borrow the Kill a Watt device from the Smiths Falls Public Library; a library card is not required. Borrowers must:
● Leave their name, address and phone number
● Return the device within 10 days

There is a drop box located on the Elmsley Street side of the Smiths Falls Public Library if you cannot come in during library hours.

To borrow from the Perth or Almonte libraries, you must be a card holder.

This is a new project for REAL, so if you have any suggestions or comments on the borrowing procedures or on the device itself, please e-mail us.

Smiths Falls Public Library Hours
Monday through Thursday: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Perth Public Library Hours
Monday: 12 - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday: 12 - 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday: 12 noon - 3 p.m.

Almonte Public Library Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 2 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., summer 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

See details on REAL's REAL Deal Store.

REAL would like to thank Renewable Energy of Plum Hollow for donating the Kill a Watt meters. Renewable Energy is an Eastern Ontario company committed to helping people incorporate appropriate sustainable energy and resource conservation technologies into their lifestyles.