Merton Council wants to help residents save cash by encouraging everyone to wise up this Energy Saving Week (25 – 31 October) and get to know just how much energy they are using at home.

The council is making available through its libraries the chance to borrow for free an OWL – a wireless energy saving monitor – which library members can easily install in their homes to measure how much electricity they are using.

The OWL connects to the domestic electrical supply and can be borrowed for up to three weeks at a time. It gives up to the second information on the amount of electricity used in terms of power, cost and carbon footprint. The monitor also displays the cash impact of changing how residents use energy, which could mean savings of hundreds of pounds per household each year.

To find out more about how to fight climate change, save energy and save money, residents can visit: http://www.merton.gov.uk/climatechange

Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: “Saving the environment and saving money often go hand in hand. Many of us could all do with a little extra cash in our pocket and we know residents are looking for ways to reduce bills wherever possible. Understanding more about how you use electricity can help people cut down on their energy consumption.

“Making these OWLs available for free through our libraries gives everyone the chance to do their bit for the environment and save money too.”

-ENDS-

Note to editors

The OWLs are available at Wimbledon, Morden, Pollards Hill, Donald Hope, Mitcham, Raynes Park and West Barnes libraries.

Information on the OWL monitors: http://www.theowl.com

The Energy Saving Trust helps people save energy and reduce carbon emissions by providing expert insight and knowledge about energy saving, supporting people to take action, helping local authorities and communities to save energy and providing quality assurance for goods, services and installers.