ALLENTOWN – Ever wonder how much electricity your TV uses when it’s on, or even when it’s off? How about your microwave, your cable TV box, or your computer and printer?

PPL Electric Utilities is teaming up with local libraries to help area residents answer these and other questions, and to turn curious customers into energy sleuths.

In honor of Earth Day, the company will soon be offering to all public libraries in its 29-county service territory a special device that library patrons can sign out to learn how much electricity different items use.

The device, known as a Kill-A-Watt™ electricity monitor, offers a digital readout of electric use. Customers simply plug the monitor into a wall outlet and then plug the item they’re testing — such as a DVD player, toaster, cell phone battery charger or any other electrical appliance — into the Kill-A-Watt monitor.  The company is offering Kill-A-Watt electricity monitors to about 125 libraries, along with posters and simple instructions on using the device. 

“It’s a great little tool for peeking under your home’s hood and understanding how much electricity your appliances use,” said David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities. “We want to help customers learn ways they can save energy and reduce their electric bills.

“Customers may be amazed to see that some gadgets and appliances use electricity even when they’re off,” he said. “If they own a large, flat-screen TV, they may find it interesting to compare its electric use with other TVs they may own. Or they may be curious to see how much power a video gaming system draws.”

Customers can purchase their own Kill-A-Watt electricity monitor at the “e” Store, which is accessible from www.pplelectric.com.