Chugach Electric Association is looking to high-tech options to help customers lower costs. The Southcentral Alaska utility and a Colorado company, Tendril Inc., are working with 100 customers to test if onsite energy monitors can persuade customers to use energy more efficiently.

The program is called Watt Busters and it's aided by a grant from the Alaska Energy Authority.

Chugach Electric spokesman Dave Smith said the monitors immediately show how much electricity a home is using and what it costs.

The participant can turn appliances off or down or delay a task, such as dish washing, to save electricity.

The system requires high-speed Internet. The devices will be in homes until June. A survey will review if they changed customers' behavior.