Power Monitor from Black & Decker Lets Canadian Homeowners Monitor Energy Consumption and Costs

    RICHMOND HILL, ON, Nov. 13 /CNW/ - For the first time, Canadian
homeowners can measure their family's consumption of energy and decrease
electricity bills as by much as 20 per cent. The Power Monitor, the first
product in the Black & Decker Energy Series Category, can save the average
Canadian family approximately $220 a year in energy costs. As of today, the
Power Monitor is available at Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, Future Shop, Best Buy,
Rona and Home Hardware locations across Canada.
    With rising energy prices and a greater awareness about the environment,
Canadians are looking for ways to manage home energy consumption - and in
turn, lower monthly bills. The Power Monitor measures real-time energy
consumption in dollars and cents so people can easily see where and when they
are using energy. Now homeowners can make conscious decisions - such as
turning off the lights, or unplugging the pool pump - to get tangible cost
savings.
    In fact, even individual appliances can be isolated to measure energy
consumption. The Power Monitor's tare feature allows users to zero-out
background energy use in the home to understand the specific cost of each
appliance. For example, homeowners can track the cost savings of replacing an
old refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR(R) model, turning off the air
conditioner, or using less hot water.
    "Most people think of energy as invisible- if we can see energy and
measure energy, we can more intelligently impact consumption," says Bryan
Shinn, Product Manager, Black & Decker Canada. "Power Monitor gives consumers
the control and understanding of how to make smart choices in their home to
save money."
    An easy-to-install sensor on the meter outside of the house monitors the
rate at which electricity is consumed and transmits this information to the
handheld display monitor inside of the home. Users can program basic
information from their electricity bill into Power Monitor to ensure the
projected monthly cost of energy is a reflection of the rate they currently
pay. With the simple press of a button, Power Monitor shows users: 1)
electricity use in real-time 2) month-to-date costs; 3) estimated bill at the
end of the month; and even 4) incremental costs of individual electronics.
    The Black & Decker's Energy Series includes the Power Monitor, with
additional products planned for release in 2009.Power Monitor Features:

    -   Take control of electricity bills - and save as much as 20 per cent
        each month
    -   Monitors rate electricity is consumed and transmits information to
        handheld display monitor inside your home
    -   Calculates in real-time how much electricity is used and cost in
        dollars and cents
    -   Tare feature isolates cost of individual appliances or electronic
        devices
    -   Works with traditional meters and smart meters
    -   Suggested retail price is $99.99
    -   Available at all major retailers in November 2008
    -   Please visit www.blackanddecker.com for more informationBlack & Decker is a global manufacturer and marketer of quality power
tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology
based fastening systems./NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/

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