The other day, Rob pointed me to an article on a topic which has been in the news quite a bit lately - the concern over the mercury contained in compact fluorescent (CFL) lamps. The original piece is here.

That article - and many others - gives the reader a somewhat inaccurate impression of the situation. Here’s a brief look at the use of compact fluorescent lighting, including the safe disposal of broken or used bulbs.

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Having access to any sort of information - in real time - can help make almost anything more effective. A car’s speedometer, a wristwatch; that thin red line you see on televised swimming finals.

When it comes to energy use around the house, this idea certainly holds true. Having an idea of the amount of electricity, water, gas etc which is being used can help you make real changes - quickly. And as you’re likely to be saving money in the process, the first place you’ll notice the benefits may just be your utility bills.

As with most things on the market, there are a number of options when it comes to energy monitoring. Here are a few of my favourites.

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