Wilts, a South High School sophomore working his way toward Eagle Scout, is the driving force behind donations to local libraries of 65 gizmos that calculate how much energy household appliances use. Alaskans can check them out of the library like a book and use this information to reduce their energy consumption and electric bills.
These Kill-A-Watt meters, or "energy saver, energy monitor kits," can be checked out from Loussac Library. Or they can be delivered by request for pickup at any branch library. They're also available anywhere in the state with a community library through interlibrary loan.
However, the majority of the donated meters went to middle- and high-school libraries in the Anchorage School District so kids can take them home. The idea, as Wilts explains it, is to encourage students to cut back on energy consumption, which, he's learned, isn't all that hard to do.
Old refrigerators and freezers may be the most obvious energy hogs, but Wilts' experiments at his own home produced some unexpected power leeches. An old lamp, for instance. With use of the meter, he figured it would cost $65 a year to operate. He also learned how much phantom energy certain appliances and electronics use when they're not even turned on. Like game consoles and cell phone chargers when the phone isn't being charged.
"I was very surprised about that," he said. "It kind of opened my eyes, like 'Wow.'"
So he went around unplugging things, and put his computer, stereo and DVD player on a power strip that he keeps turned off when not in use.
Wilts' meter project comes at a good time. Along somewhat similar lines as the Cash for Clunkers program, the U.S. Department of Energy is providing states with $300 million to replace clunker appliances as part of President Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan. Alaska's cut, based on population, is $658,000. Each state has until mid-October to submit its plan with specifics, like which appliances will be eligible. But generally speaking, once the program gets under way, rebates of $50 to $200 will be available toward the purchase of new, energy-efficient appliances.
Currently a Life Scout with Troop 8, Wilts wanted his Eagle Scout project to benefit not only the community but the environment. He says Deborah Williams, founder of the Alaska Conservation Solutions, gave him the idea for the meter project, which represents 120 hours of his effort over the past nine months.
While building a park bench or a dugout for a Little League park is a more common Eagle Scout project, it didn't surprise Wilts' Scoutmaster, Brad Sewell, that he chose the one he did.
He's very concerned about the environment, Sewell said. When someone shows up at a work party with bottled water, for instance, he's the one rounding up all the empties to recycle.
"He's a really great, bright kid," Sewell said. "All the kids in the troop look up to him."
Wilts still needs to wrap up a few details and do more promotion to complete his project. Once he does, he goes before a Scouting board of review, which will be a little like defending a thesis. When the board signs off on his accomplishments, Wilts will be an Eagle Scout.
Only about 5 percent of Scouts make it to that highest level, according to Sewell.
"Once you make Eagle Scout you don't stop," he said. "You can still earn merit badges. You're an Eagle Scout for life. I know people in their 80s who still identify themselves as Eagle Scouts. It's a testament of character."
A combination of donations and grants, primarily from Norcross Wildlife Foundation, the South Anchorage Home Depot and the Alaska Conservation Foundation, made this project possible. Wilts' meter donation was made official at a little ceremony, and four days later all nine meters at Loussac were checked out, according to Sherri Douglas, youth services coordinator.
Find Debra McKinney online at adn.com/contact/dmckinney or call 257-4465.
How to find the kits
Energy Saver Monitor Kits can be checked out through most municipal libraries and from middle and high school libraries. When searching the computer library catalog for availability, the keywords are "energy monitor."
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