Seeking Information: Power Meter Loans Through Libraries

Agnes Camacho Dec 9, 2008 6:25 am

Hi,

I am looking for information from those who have established a program that entails a borrowing system for power meters through a library. The idea being; members of the community can borrow an energy audit kit including a power meter along with information about how to conduct an energy audit in their home. Participants learn about the difference in the energy consumption of different appliances and how to reduce their energy use. I would really appreciate any case studies or simply a web address of similar programs or information regarding the following;

* Effectiveness of promotion and the uptake of power meter loans

* Is there any pattern to who is borrowing the meters (young families, students, senior citizens etc)

* Your evaluation process, how you are going to measure the programs success (through the amount of loans or a wider GHG reduction measure)

* Any barriers or obstacles you had to implementing the program

* Any difficulties with insurance or safety concerns

Thank you, looking forward to hearing from you!
Juliana

Juliana Collins
Regional Sustainability Event and Education
Support Officer
Hunter & Central Coast
Regional Environmental Management Strategy (HCCREMS)
Hunter Councils Environment Division
59 Bonville Avenue, (PO Box 137),
THORNTON NSW 2322
Phone: 02 4978 4020
Fax: 02 4966 2188
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hccrems.com.au
www.huntercouncils.com.au/environment/

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Olena Juzkiw Calgary Dec 9, 2008 18:34 pm

Hi Juliana

The Calgary Public Library loans out 'kill a watt' meters that were donated by the local electric utility, Enmax. I don't have too many details about the program, but you can see the meters on line if you search for 'kill a watt' on the Calgary public library website: http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/. I am sure that someone at the library would be able to answer your questions further.

Best Regards,
Olena

Olena Juzkiw,P. Eng
Community Projects Coordinator
Energy & Environmental Services
Calgary Board of Education
t: (403)214-1205 f: (403)777-8038
http://www.cbe.ab.ca/community/ecoStewardship/

Dec 10, 2008 1:09 am

Hello Juliana,

I can't give you any statistics or studies but I can tell you that our little town of Canterbury NH (population 2200) has two "Kill-a-Watt" meters available for loan from our library. I'm on the town Energy Committee and we are promoting this opportunity through our monthly town newsletter. We're providing people with energy saving tips, including using this meter. It hasn't been available for too long, but we're hoping that folks will start making use of it and reducing their power loads based on findings from the meter.

Good luck.
Ruth Smith

Richard Day Adelaide, South Australia Jan 15, 2009 17:26 pm

Hi Juliana,

Such a program has existed in South Australia since 2003 through the SA Government's Energy Office.

The original 'Home Energy Self Audit Kit' was housed in a calico-bag and included a power meter, thermometer, compass, incence sticks, bucket, manual and worksheet (see link to 'Home Energy Self Audit kit' and 'Home Energy Audit Worksheet' at http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/energy/publications). Around 100 kits were assembled and sold at a subsidised rate to council libraries to loan to the general public.

The project was reviewed by an independent 3rd party by in 2006, and a a number of recommendations were made which led to the development of a second generation kit and an improved monitoring and evaluation framework.

The recently developed 'Be Energy Smart Toolkit' is housed in a durable foam-lined perspex-lidded carry case. The tools are largely the same, except that the incence sticks and bucket have been ditched in favour of an infrared thermometer and stopwatch. 200 of these kits have been assembled and are currently being distributed to libraries, replacing the original kits.

With the second generation kit, libraries are required to report on the uptake of the kits. The kit also includes a post-back feedback form to collect feedback from borrowers.

I'm sure that someone from the Energy Division's Advisory Service would be happy to talk to you further (contact details on the website link above).

good luck

cheers

Richard

Richard Day
Mr
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Australia

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