Watts Up? Meter Users Guide
Using this device will show you how much power household appliances and electronic devices
are using and how much each appliance costs to run. You will be surprised how easy it is to
save energy and money.
How to use the Watts Up? meter:
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Plug the Watts Up? into a standard wall outlet.
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Plug the appliance or electronic devise into Watts Up? and turn the appliance on.
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Watts Up? has six different modes – WATTS, WATT HOURS, TIME, COST, VOLTS, and
AMPS. The first mode or reading is WATTS. (See the Operators Manual for what each of
the modes measure.)
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To cycle through the modes, press the MODE button.
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To cycle through the details within each mode, press the SELECT button.
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To reset any reading, press and hold the SELECT button for one second. To get accurate
readings you should reset each MODE before you plug in a new device.
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The COST mode has a default rate set at 8 cents/kWh. To change the Rate. Press and
hold the SELECT button until the SET and RATE symbols come on. UP/DOWN
indicators will flash. Click the SELECT button and use the up and down button to set the
amount. Click the MODE button when the rate is correct. (The 2015 rates are 7.97 cents
per kilowatt hour for Step 1 and 11.95 cents kilowatt hour for Step 2. Check the BC
Hydro website for more details on their rate structure.)

Press the MODE button to see: how much electricity is being used (WATTS), how much
electricity is being used over time (WATT HOURS), how long the device has been in use
(TIME), how much the appliance costs (COST), and more.

Leave the appliance or device plugged in to measure the amount of electricity being
used and the cost to run it for one hour, one day, or longer.
(See the Operating Manual for more detailed information).
For more details on hydro rates and incentives visit: www.bchydro.com
Have you joined BC Hydro’s Team Power Smart? If you join and reduce your home’s electricity
by 10% in the next year you can receive a $50 reward. As a member of Team Power Smart you
are eligible for exclusive contests and prizes.
Watts Up Meter Users Guide
To register and for more information visit:
www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/team-power-smart
For more information about BETTER OFF North Cowichan visit:
www.northcowichan/betteroff
Some things you can do with the Watts Up? Meter:
1. Check how much electricity your frequently used electronic devices or appliances are
using by plugging them into the meter.
2. Compare different appliances or devices. Gather 3 items that are similar in age and size
(e.g. a hairdryer, blender, and a toaster). Plug each of them in and measure how much
electricity each one uses. Which device uses the most? Now compare 3 items of
different sizes.
3. Compare the electricity use and cost of an incandescent light bulb versus a compact
fluorescent light bulb (CFL). Screw the incandescent light bulb into a desk or table lamp.
Plug it into the meter. Measure the electricity use for a couple of days (maybe more,
maybe less). Replace the incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb.
Measure the electricity use for the same amount of time. How much electricity and
money did you save with the CFL?
4. Check the phantom or vampire power loads of your appliances and devices. Many
appliances and devices still use power after you turn them off. Vampire power is
responsible for about 10% of your electric bill. Plug in a device that is turned off to see
how much power it’s still using. You can save this money by buying a power bar,
plugging your devices into the power bar and turning the power bar off when it’s not in
use.
This bag includes:
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1 Watts Up? Meter
1 Watts Up? operating manual
1 Watts Up? usage sheet
The Municipality of North Cowichan would like to thank the City of North Vancouver for the idea and use of their
material.