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Available to Borrow at the REAL Deal Store and participating Public Libraries

Participating Libraries:   Perth, Almonte, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, Pakenham,  South Elmsley and Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley (Spring Valley branch)

killawatt (1)No charge or deposit required

Have high electricity bills got you alarmed?

The Kill A Watt meter is a handy device that you can use to help identify the power hungry appliances in your home and those responsible for phantom loads. From there you can calculate the cost of running that appliance.

REAL is making these devices available for area residents to borrow through local libraries as well as the REAL Deal Store in Smiths Falls. 


How to Use the Kill A Watt Meter

This meter is very simple to use. Plug the three-prong device into 120 VAC, three-prong (grounded) electrical outlet, and then plug your appliance into the meter.

For appliances that cycle on and off, like fridges, freezers, pumps and water coolers, you will need to keep the Kill a Watt meter plugged in for 24 hours to get an accurate reading.

You will not be able to measure the electrical consumption of appliances that are directly wired, such as stoves, dishwashers, driers, water pumps, furnaces, electric hot water heaters or some lighting fixtures. As well, do not use this device with an inverter.

Use the right hand button to toggle between Kilowatt-Hours (KWh) and cumulative time in hours and minutes, which are displayed on the LCD. Further printed instructions are available with the device.

Further instructions on the use of the Kill a Watt Meter.
Printer friendly PDF of REAL’s instructions.

See Kill A Watt meter original packaging.
See Kill A Watt meter enclosed instructions.


Borrowing Terms

Anyone can borrow the Kill a Watt device from the Smiths Falls Public Library; a library card is not required. Borrowers must:

  • leave their name, address and phone number
  • return the device within 10 days

There is a drop box located on the Elmsley Street side of the Smiths Falls Public Library if you cannot come in during library hours.

To borrow from the other libraries, call ahead for their borrowing terms.

If you have any suggestions or comments on the borrowing procedures or on the device itself, please e-mail us.

Best to check these hours before physically going to these libraries, as their hours may have changed.

Smiths Falls Public Library Hours, (613) 283-2911
Monday through Thursday: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Almonte Public Library Hours, (613) 256-1037
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., summer 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Consult website for summer hours

Carleton Place Public Library Hours, (613) 257-2702
Monday to Thursday: 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pakenham Public Library Hours, (613) 624-5306
Tuesday to Thursday:  1 p.m – 8 p.m.
Friday:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2:00 pm
Sunday and Monday: Closed

Perth and District Union Public Library Hours, (613) 267-1224
Monday: 10 – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 12 – 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday: 12 noon – 3 p.m.

Rideau Lakes Public Library, South Elmsley Branch Hours, (613) 284-9827
Monday: Closed
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:30 am. – 1:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, (613) 345-7480 (Spring Valley Branch)
Monday:  9 a.m. – 12. p.m. and 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 pm. – 8 p.m.
Saturday:  9:00 – 1:00

REAL Deal Reuse Store, (613) 283-7999

effective April 28, 2019:
Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m.  – 5  p.m.
Sundays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

REAL  thanks the Renewable Energy of Plum Hollow , Kingston for donating the original three Kill a Watt meters. Renewable Energy is an Eastern Ontario company that has now merged with Friendly Fires.