PAREI Membership Resources
When you become a member of PAREI, you are entitled to borrow any one of our energy awareness tools. These tools are to be used to help you better understand energy use in your home. For more information on how to borrow these tools, please email robbin@plymouthenergy.org.
Energy Audit Tools
Fluke Infrared Thermometer
Point and shoot this device to see an instant temperature. This using is great for seeing how hot your water is coming from your water heater (turn on the hot water and point at the pipe), a window or a wire that you might think is too warm and maybe warn out. Great for insulation preparation.
Belkin Energy Use Meter
Use this meter to see how much power an appliance or other consuming product is using. Measures current watts and amps as well as Kwh over time.
Instructions:
Plug in the meter and plug in the appliance in the meter. Meter will instantly measure watts and amps. Leave the appliance plugged in over a time period to see how much power is being consumed over time.
110V AC use only
Up to 300 Watt
Digital moisture meter
If you burn with wood you want to make sure the wood is as dry as possible. Burning wet wood (wood with a high moisture content) can consume as much as twice the amount of energy as dry wood for the same amount of BTUs. The reason for this is that, although you may witness a nice flame, a large amount of energy is being used to drive off the moisture as opposed to giving you heat.
An age old way to tell if your wood is dry is to listen to it. If there is a large hiss coming from the log it is boring off moisture. Also you will often see moisture bubbling from the end of the log as the moisture boils off.
Instructions:
With the meter turned on drive the prongs into a piece of wood. Preferably a recently split piece of wood using an inside surface from the split wood. You want to achieve a moisture level of less than 20%.
Solar Pathfinder
Ever wonder if you have a location that would be right for a solar installation? The solar pathfinder can help. Matched with the pathfinder software this device can measure your solar shading at a given location and give you a percentage of solar efficiency.
Instructions:
Match up the compass and level of the device in a given location. Take a photo (standing on the north side and looking straight down) of the dome. The reflection on the dome will show where you have trees and where the sky is clear. Ask PAREI about accessing the software to create the shading report
Excelvan Power Meter
Use this meter to see how much power an appliance or other consuming product is using. Measures current watts and amps as well as Kwh over time.
Instructions:
Plug in the meter and plug in the appliance in the meter. Meter will instantly measure watts and amps. Leave the appliance plugged in over a time period to see how much power is being consumed over time.
110V AC use only
Up to 3000 Watts
Kilowatt CO2 Wireless Meter
PAREI stands ready to help walk you through your energy efficiency project for existing buildings or new home construction. PAREI will bring together local resources to help you plan your energy project and provide funding suggestions.
Kill A Watt Electric Usage Monitor
Use this meter to see how much power an appliance or other consuming product is using. Measures current watts and amps as well as Kwh over time.
Instructions:
Plug in the meter and plug in the appliance in the meter. Meter will instantly measure watts and amps. Leave the appliance plugged in over a time period to see how much power is being consumed over time.
110V AC use only
Up to 300 Watts
Freezer/refrigerator thermometer
Hang this thermometer in your freezer or refrigerator to make sure the temperature is not too cold (using too much energy) or cold enough (cold enough to keep your food safe.
Fridge temps:
According to the U.S. government’s Energy Star program, setting your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 3 degrees Celsius) reduces the amount of energy your refrigerator uses.
Freezer temps:
The USDA says that foods are maintained at the highest quality for the longest time when maintained at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, microbes are inactive.