Ready Home Check
Save energy and money with a Ready Home Check
Saving energy and money sounds easy, but it can be a little daunting to get started. That’s where the Ready Home Check comes in. We hope this little monitor can help you save big. Just connect it to any appliance, and get the information you need to make decisions that can help you save.
You might be surprised by how much energy some older appliances need, or how many things in your home use energy even when turned off.
Read more about the Ready Home Check.
How to use the KWH monitor
Quick start instructions
1. Connect the monitor to the outlet and the appliance.
2. Press and hold the RESET key on the monitor until “rESt” appears.
3. Press and hold the SET rate key until “Rate” is displayed and the currently set rate flashes.
4. Press the UP and DOWN key to set your desired rate.
5. Press the SET key again. “SAVE” will appear briefly on the screen.
6. To display the actual cost of power consumed, press the MENU key until “Cost” is displayed on the screen.
7. Pressing the UP and DOWN key will cycle through the cost projection periods. For example, if the display indicates $2.34 and “Month,” the unit is projecting that the attached appliance will consume $2.34 worth of electricity in one month.
8. To display the power measurement, press the MENU key until “Volt” is displayed on the screen.
9. To cycle through the various measurements, press the UP and DOWN key. The measurement unit currently selected will be indicated on the screen.
10. To display the total consumed power in kilowatt hours, press the MENU key until “KWH” is indicated on the screen
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How to use the KWH monitor
Quick start instructions
1. Connect the monitor to the outlet and the appliance.
2. Press and hold the RESET key on the monitor until “rESt” appears.
3. Press and hold the SET rate key until “Rate” is displayed and the currently set rate flashes.
4. Press the UP and DOWN key to set your desired rate.
5. Press the SET key again. “SAVE” will appear briefly on the screen.
6. To display the actual cost of power consumed, press the MENU key until “Cost” is displayed on the screen.
7. Pressing the UP and DOWN key will cycle through the cost projection periods. For example, if the display indicates $2.34 and “Month,” the unit is projecting that the attached appliance will consume $2.34 worth of electricity in one month.
8. To display the power measurement, press the MENU key until “Volt” is displayed on the screen.
9. To cycle through the various measurements, press the UP and DOWN key. The measurement unit currently selected will be indicated on the screen.
10. To display the total consumed power in kilowatt hours, press the MENU key until “KWH” is indicated on the screen.
Black Hills Energy residential rate
We have all kinds of programs to help you save money and energy. Here are a few ways you can lower your energy costs, make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy use.
| Appliance Type | Black Hills Energy Rate x kWh Used* | Total Cost for Energy Used |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | $0.09 x 55 | $4.95/month |
| Freezer | $0.09 x 34 | $3.06/month |
| Dishwasher | $0.09 x 29 | $2.61/month |
| Microwave | $0.09 x 11 | $0.99/month |
| Clothes Washer | $0.09 x 64 | $5.76/month |
*Example to show how to calculate the cost for Pueblo, Colorado residents.
Understanding your energy usage
Review the chart to understand the average costs to operate various household appliances and how to save money by upgrading older appliances to new Energy Star energy efficient appliances.
| Model Type* | Monthly kWh | Monthly Usage Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator / Freezer (25 cubic feet side by side with icemaker) |
Standard | 55 | $6.05 |
| Efficient | 44 | $4.84 | |
| Refrigerator / Freezer (20 cubic feet top/bottom) |
Standard | 47 | $5.17 |
| Efficient | 38 | $4.18 | |
| Freezer (14 cubic feet, frost freeze) |
Standard | 34 | $3.74 |
| Efficient | 31 | $3.41 | |
| Dishwasher (Home with electric water heater, average 18 washes/month) |
Standard | 29 | $3.19 |
| Efficient | 24 | $2.64 | |
| Microwave (Used 15 minutes/day) |
Standard |
11 | $1.21 |
| Toaster (Used 5 minutes/day) |
Standard | 4 | $0.44 |
| Clothes Washer (Home with electric water heater, average 6 washes/week) |
Standard | 64 | $7.04 |
| Efficient | 40 | $4.40 | |
| Lighting - 13 Watt Compact Fluorescent (1 month at 8 hours/day) |
Standard | 3 | $0.33 |
| Lighting - 75 Watt Incandescent (1 month at 8 hours/day) |
Standard | 18 | $1.98 |
* Purchasing high-efficiency appliances, often certified by ENERGY STAR, can save you 30% or more on your energy costs. ENERGY STAR appliances meet the government’s energy efficiency rating.
High usage vs. energy efficient appliances
Energy efficiency programs
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