Light IQ: We design, supply and install innovative and inspirational lighting schemes.

In our energy-sapping world, each gizmo and gadget continually drains our homes of electricity. We are becoming more aware of how much our homes cost to run in terms of electrical consumption, but although we all know that we use too much, the task of reducing our usage seems too daunting to even deliberate. The abundance of energy saving household options available today bombards us at every turn – energy saving light bulbs, low consumption refrigerators, 'green' hairdryers and low energy plasmas - but how can you tell if the higher cost of these products will be worth it in the end? The enthusiasm we tend to begin with when deciding to lower our energy usage normally dissipates before we have even managed to get round the whole house switching off sockets. So instead of beginning with a drastic and soon-to-be-discarded 'all-off' effort, why not find out what consumes the most amount of energy (and therefore money) in your home and start by limiting the usage? What about those smaller and apparently insignificant items such as phone chargers and devices on stand-by? Surely those don't cost enough to even warrant unplugging them?...well you would be surprised. If there was a way of actually calculating the amount each 'on' switch and plug was costing you without sitting down with a calculator, the electric bill and loosing yourself for a couple of hours, perhaps home energy-saving would be moved higher up on our agenda. Enter: OWL.

OWL is a discreet electrical monitoring device providing you with continuous information about your electrical usage throughout the home. It is incredibly sensitive and will register all minor fluctuations in consumption, allowing you to experiment with your energy saving strategies and use the ones that make an actual difference to both your pocket and the planet.

OWL comes in two parts - the transmitter which is fixed next to your electricity meter on one of the main trunk cables and the handheld display unit that can be mounted centrally or moved wirelessly around the home. The beauty of its flexible position is that it can be used to measure the energy consumption of individual devices; placing the OWL faceplate near your television, hairdryer or nightlight will tell you precisely how much energy is being consumed – allowing you to really see the difference that can be made from using the 'off' switch.

Unlike many of its competitors, this gadget is British through and through ensuring full compatibility with all of your domestic devices. The display lists the electrical output in kilowatts per hour, the cost in pounds and pence of either the total house at that moment or the specific device you are holding it near, as well as the percentage the device is draining from your total electricity bill and the amount of emitted greenhouse gases. Set the integral alarm to notify you when your total consumption peaks past a pre-set level and just wait in anticipation for the next electricity bill to see how much you have saved by turning off all those non-essential items!

Reportedly, each OWL home saves on average of 27% from their bill, making the initial outlay of £34.99, a very worthwhile investment.

Save money and the planet; Install an OWL in your home and just watch as your fingers are irresistibly drawn to the off-switch! www.theowl.com

RW.

A Designer's Deliberations

Friday, 25 April 2008

As Vigilant as a Night Owl

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