The Belkin Conserve Insight Energy Cost Monitor is the main competitor to the Kill-A-Watt and Kill-A-Watt EZ. Both of these energy monitoring devices monitor single appliances on a 120 V outlet. On the design side, there is one major difference that will be important to the majority of homeowners: The Belkin unit has a nicer display that is attached to the monitoring portion by a cord!
However, style isn't everything. While the Insight Energy Cost monitor looks great and is more ergonomic, it doesn't provide all the functionality that the Kill-A-Watt does. It does show watts, the cost of operation, and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but it lacks the most important measure of energy consumption: total kWh consumed! This is a huge design flaw on Belkin's part and it may be because they assumed the majority of homeowners don't understand kWh. You can calculate kWh consumed by back solving from the cost of operation (assuming you put in the right kWh rate). But what if you are on a variable pricing plan from your utility? If you need a refresher on kWh, check out our blog post on "What is a kWh".
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From the Manufacturer
The Belkin Conserve Insight Energy Cost Monitor helps you measure the true impact of your energy use on your utility bill - and the environment. Find out how much energy your devices really use--including watts, the cost of operation, and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions--with the Belkin Conserve Insight Energy Cost Monitor. At a glance you can see exactly how much electricity is used by devices like computers, televisions, kitchen appliances and more. The monitor also shows the carbon dioxide emissions produced as a byproduct of your electricity usage. With this monitor, you get a clear idea of the true impact to your wallet--and the environment.
Be Smart About Energy with the Cost Tracking Feature
The Conserve Insight Energy Cost Monitor makes it easy to be smart about energy. With the help of this handy device, you can see how much your devices cost to use on a yearly or monthly basis so you can make better energy decisions. Additionally, because the Conserve Insight also shows power plant carbon dioxide emissions produced to use various devices on a yearly or monthly basis, you'll discover your true environmental impact. The convenient tracking feature tracks your usage of a device over time and projects how much that device costs you to operate based on your actual usage.
Monitor is Customizable, Easy-to-Read
The Conserve Insight is both customizable and easy to read. A six-foot cord allows you to read the display at eye-level or place it on a table. And for added convenience, you can choose to use either the preloaded U.S. average electricity rate or enter your own rate off your electric bill. You can also set the carbon dioxide emissions rate for your specific region.
This unit includes a convenient tracking feature which gathers data over time to provide accurate energy use information based on your actual usage.
Smart, User-Friendly Design
Designed for ease of use, the Conserve Insight sets up in minutes. Simply plug it into a standard outlet and then plug a device in to the unit. The screen will automatically display how many dollars per year your device costs in its current operating mode--no need to press a button. Easy-to-understand graphic icons make it easy to read results, while both instantaneous and tracking modes of usage calculation let you put things in perspective.
With your device plugged into the Conserve Insight, you can press one of the corresponding buttons to enter into the desired mode. For a range of readings, pressing the CO2 or dollar button more than once will switch between monthly and yearly readings.
The Conserve Insight Energy Use Monitor is backed by a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
Conserve Energy Insight Use Monitor; standard U.S. 3-pin wall outlet connector; attached digital display screen; and user's manual [PDF].
