Energy Monitors to Help You Save Cash

The council is offering households the use of Owl energy monitors and heat-loss checks with thermal imaging cameras.

Owl energy monitors use sensors and LED displays to track electricity usage, how much it costs and how much greenhouse gas it is generating.

A clip-on sensor attaches to the electricity supply cable and sends a wireless signal via the monitor to the display unit.

Ribble Valley Borough Council housing officer John Barber said: "Many households don't appreciate how much electricity their appliances use, even when on standby, and households on low incomes are at particular risk of fuel poverty, because they often can't attract favourable fuel rates.

"Monitoring energy use in the home is an excellent way to raise awareness of electricity consumption, reduce the consumption and save money."

The monitors are available to Ribble Valley households free-of-charge for a month on a first-come-first-served basis.

Ribble Valley Borough Council is also offering householders free energy checks using thermal imaging cameras.

The cameras use infra-red light to guage where buildings are losing heat, such as from the roof or walls.

To book an energy monitor or heat-loss check, contact Ribble Valley Borough Council on 01200 425111.

Picture: John Barber (left) and Ribble Valley Borough Council surveying assistant Alan Coar (right).