Real savings in real time.

When it comes to conservation, “real-time feedback” has become a definite buzz phrase. The idea is that consumers who have access to real-time feedback about usage and savings in areas like power, lighting, and water are more likely to change their habits.

This month, in honor of the gift-giving season, we’re going to look at three standalone energy meters.

These work with a wide range of products and systems, and rank high in eco-geek appeal, as they combine our desire to be energy conscious with our love of techno-toys.

Watts Up?

If you want to know how much power a single device in your home uses – be it during start-up, activity, or standby – just plug it in to the Watts Up?.

This meter, developed by Electronic Educational Devices, comes in four flavors, priced from $95.95 to $235.95.

The best-selling model is the Watts Up? Pro ($130.95). Like the basic model, the Pro measures a product’s voltage and current, shows line quality and voltage dips, and indicates when a product is running beyond a preset threshold.

It adds the ability to record data and view profiles over time; via USB, you can transfer the data to your PC, where the supplied software automatically graphs the information and can even calculate the time required for an energy-efficient appliance to pay for itself.

The new, top-of-the-line Watts Up? .Net adds power switching and the ability to access and track data via the Internet.

Wattsupmeters.com

Kill A Watt PS

Ever wonder how power-hungry your home theater system has become?

Or maybe your home office?

Sure, you could monitor each piece individually and do the math, or you could just plug everything into P3 International’s Kill A Watt PS ($99.99).

This eight-outlet power strip has the twofold benefit of providing feedback on energy usage and quality and offering surge protection for your gear.

In addition to six regular three-prong outlets and two wide three-prong outlets, the Kill A Watt PS features a large, backlit LCD for monitoring voltage, amperage, line frequency, current leakage, and power consumption by kilowatt-hour.

The device can calculate cost and forecast consumption by day, week, month, or year.

P3international.com

PowerCost Monitor

When wholehouse monitoring is what you desire, the PowerCost Monitor ($149.99) from Blue Line Innovations is the solution.

This wireless energy meter can show you how much electricity your home consumes and calculate cost, so there will be no more surprises when the monthly bill arrives.

It can also reveal differences as you add or subtract devices.

Just attach the sensor unit to your home’s electric utility meter and peruse the feedback on the battery-powered handheld monitor, which can communicate with the sensor at a distance up to 100 feet.

It’s cool indeed, but be warned: If you gift this wireless gadget, there’s always a chance the recipient will endlessly follow you around the house, smugly assessing your energy usage.

Purchase at your own risk.

Bluelineinnovations.com