those little gadgets that tell how much electricity you're using

Yes and no. They are totally addictive and showed us how much certain things were using. The kettle and the spotlights in the kitchen were real jaw dropers!

I'm not sure it would work long term but certainly you can then make choices.

I've never heard of them but they sound really interesting- does anyone have a link?

Http://www.gadgetspeak.com/gadget/article.rhtm/753/472409/the_owl_electricity_meter.html

Yes you should get one. It's really useful and does make you think. I was a bugger for leaving stuff on and I don't now. Of course MrP took it as a chance to give you about 5 lectures a day, which for a man that refuses to turn the tap off when he's brushing his teeth, is a bit rich ?

We got our from Amazon but I know a few people got them free from their energy company so give them a call first and se if they will send you one.

I agree with GW that they are addictive! I have had mine for about 6 months now and I got mine free from the electricity company when I chagned tarrifs.

My monitor is in a prominent place downstairs so I can always see how much we are using and how much was used (readings for last 1 day, 30 days, 1 month). I use it to compare against my monthly Direct debit, and espeically over the Winter period with expensive and not very efficient storage heaters I can budget whether I am paying enough or not. Having said that, we did end up using about 30% less electric because we were so obsessed by it.

It also showed us that the thermostat for the emersion water heater wasn't actually using the timer like it was supposed to be and was just heating water at all times of the day. (we switched everthing off that we thought was plugged in and there was a huge spike in the usage that lead us to find out). So in that way problems may show themselves that wouldnt ordinarily.

? Lois.

Am a bit confused- does it attach to the appliance or to your meter?

Ours comes in two parts. The first is connected to the meter (a clamp attached to the wires going into or out of the meter) and a wireless display box in the house that then picks up the signal.

I think you can also attach the clamps to wires on your fuse box.

If yoo look at the link that's been posted there's a photo showing the gadget inside the meter box, clipped to the wires leading direcly into the meter.

It was the link that confused me as I didn't see how something attached just to the meter could tell you what each appliance was using. But if it's in two parts that makes perfect sense ?