Watt meters at Lake Stevens Library show how much juice you are using

LAKE STEVENS — Those who would like to know how much electricity their appliances use need only visit the Lake Stevens Library this month.

The Snohomish County PUD partnered with the Lake Stevens Library to provide free electricity watt meters for checkout as part of Go Green Month at the library.

The P3 International Kill A Watt devices plug into appliances and electronic devices and calculate energy use and cost to help the user determine where energy is wasted.

The meters can be checked out just as books and other library items are, Mary Kelly, a spokeswoman for the Sno-Isle Libraries, said.

The library has 20 meters for customers to check out for one-week intervals, she said. The electricity watt meters were originally available for two-week intervals in April at the Edmonds Library. The meters have also been available for short periods of time at the Arlington, Camano Island, Granite Falls, Monroe and Snohomish libraries.

The devices are popular and have been checked out about 100 times since April 1, according to Kelly. The staff decided to loan them out for one week instead of two at the Lake Stevens Library.

“We’re trying to make them available to as many people as possible,” Kelly said.

Customers will not be able to place holds on the meters, she said. The devices will be available for checkout at the Marysville Library in September, the Stanwood Library in October and the Mukilteo Library in November.

The library and PUD have also planned several energy-related activities during the month at the Lake Stevens Library, 1804 Main St.

PUD staff will lead a story time for kids about using energy wisely at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and a conversation on energy conservation for adults from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 24. Lake Stevens Library staff will also give out cards with tips on how to go green to library customers who ask for them throughout the month of August.

Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.