The Power-Mate measures the amount of electricity consumed in kilowatt-hours (“kWh”) over the time it has been measuring a particular appliance (the “run-time”).

• extrapolated to estimate hourly, quarterly or yearly electricity consumption (in kWh), or
• multiplied by the inbuilt electricity tariff & then extrapolated to provide estimates of hourly, quarterly or yearly running costs in ($), or
• multiplied by the inbuilt greenhouse coefficient & then extrapolated to provide estimates of hourly, quarterly or yearly greenhouse gas emissions.

Note: The Power-Mate does not estimate energy consumption, cost or greenhouse gas emissions based on the instantaneous wattage drawn by an appliance as some other appliance meters do.

• in order to get an accurate consumption/cost/greenhouse estimate for appliances with a variable power-draw (such as fridges, air-conditioners and other thermostatically controlled devices), the Power-Mate must be connected to the appliance long enough for it to record several on-off cycles. In the case of a fridge, 24 hours or more is ideal to account for daily variation, but 6 hours would give a rough estimate. Please note that this doesn’t take into account seasonal variations (i.e. summer to winter).
• Accurate estimates for appliances with a constant powerdraw (such a TV in standby mode, a table lamp, a fanheater or a bar-radiator) can usually be made within a few seconds.
• You need to ‘clear’ the Power-Mate if you want to estimate consumption for the same appliance in different operating modes. E.g. If you install the meter on a computer, and want to measure the annual running cost in standby mode and then the hourly running cost in operating mode, you need take the measurements whilst on standby, then turn the computer on, then clear the meter, and then take the measurements in operating mode. If you don’t clear the meter, the energy, cost and greenhouse estimates will combine the time spent in operating mode and the time spent in standby mode.

The Power-Mate is set to a default electricity tariff of 18.00 cents/kWh. Please refer to the ‘Setting the Rate or Greenhouse Gas Values’ section of the manufacturer’s User Guide for instructions on how to check and change the settings. Many Victorian Government Facilities will need to change the electricity tariff in accordance with whole government contracts For facilities purchasing electricity from other retailers, you may need to find out the current tariff from their electricity bill.