Energy Meters

Woking LA21 Energy Meters Pilot Project.

Woking LA21 has recently carried out trials with several portable Energy Meters for measuring electricity consumption of household plugged-in appliances. One particular energy meter was considered to be more useful and better value than the some of the other meters used. The trial was helpful in identifying inefficient electrical equipment in several homes. Additionally, some equipment (PC's, microwaves, washing machines and televisions) was shown to be consuming power when apparently switched off.

Twenty Energy Meters have been purchased, and Woking LA21 has set up a pilot trial for residents to use the meters in their homes. Users will be asked to submit their results to Woking LA21 for analysis. It is hoped that further borough-wide initiatives can be identified to encourage domestic energy saving and carbon footprint reduction. If you are interested in this pilot trial please contact Woking LA21.

If you are keen to find out more, or are involved in the pilot programme, please download the sheets from this page, which will provide detailed advice and instructions regarding the project. LA21 is envisaging that participants would be able to complete the survey of their own home in around a month and are asking users to fill in the form and send back results as soon as possible (either by hard copy or by e-mail).

This will enable LA21 to generate data showing what savings can be generally achieved. It will also allow residents to compare their appliances energy consumption against others in the borough. (A participant's individual results will not be published).

After participants have completed their own survey, LA21 are asking them to pass the meter to a few Woking-based friends, neighbours or colleagues (perhaps four) who would also be willing to participate in the trial. This will help LA21 to build a sizeable database of energy consumption data. LA21 intends to publish a report during 2008, with the intention to encourage more people to participate in the project with the aim of all of us in Woking reducing our energy consumption and carbon footprint.

It is by our local action that we can really make a difference to future climate change and resource use.

Rod Brans, Chairman of Woking Local Agenda 21.

Enquiries regarding this project can be directed to the email address la21@woking.gov.uk.