During September and early October 2010 Steplight coordinated the installation of 400 energy monitors in the Hills and Blacktown local government areas. Telephone reviews and follow-up site visits were conducted during October and November 2010.
All homes were contacted post-installation to make sure the monitors were working, to provide assistance if required, and to gather feedback. The majority of homes reported very positive feedback about the energy monitor. This feedback is summarised below.
Many residents reported specific examples of how they have used the monitor to identify particular energy problems and solutions in their homes.
We found out the heat pump wasn’t working properly and had it repaired. The whole family checks the energy monitor to see what needs turning off. – Resident, Castle Hill
It’s very interesting – we turned on the oil heater and the fan heater and compared them. The oil heater uses less power. – Resident, Blacktown
The beer fridge is getting the sack. – Resident, Rouse Hill
Don’t buy a plasma – TV times have now changed. It’s brilliant! – Resident, Marayong
The educational benefit of the monitor was a strong theme in the follow-up reviews. This was true for most age-groups and quite varied levels of existing ‘energy awareness.’
The monitor has taught me that our air conditioner uses power in standby. – Resident, Seven Hills
We’ve found more ways to reduce our energy use, even though we have already had five energy assessments through various programs. – Resident, Lalor Park
We now turn off all the power points. It’s amazing. – Resident, Stanhope Gardens
We have now changed all our lighting to energy saver globes. The kids are also checking their energy use and turning everything off before they go to bed. – Resident, Baulkham Hills
Most importantly, households found the device easy to use, even ‘fun’, with many now incorporating it into their routine in some way.
I have been having a great time finding my energy guzzlers and turning them off. – Resident, Baulkham Hills
We enjoy using the energy monitor, it has confirmed our current energy efficient practices and helped us find some other areas to reduce energy. – Resident, Baulkham Hills
We’ve started earth hour every day. – Resident, Woodcroft
I check it every morning! – Resident, Oakhurst
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Helped me determine the power guzzlers.
My power bill was $200 less this quarter. That’s $800.00 a year saving.
To my surprise my old beer fridge uses half the power of my new fridge in the kitchen.
Be aware, your power company plays with your off peak power. They seem to turn it on when they need more revenue. Mine jumped 100% till I complained. Now it is back to normal.