Check it Out - Literally! Visit your library and – just like a book – check out the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Energy Saving Toolkit. It’s stocked with supplies and measuring devices that will help you lower your utility bills while saving precious resources.

You get to keep:

  • LED light bulbs
  • Low-flow faucet aerators
  • A low-flow showerhead
  • Outlet gaskets
  • Weather stripping
  • Water leak detection tablets

Devices that enable the measurement of energy and water use are to be returned to the library in the toolkit box, and include:

  • A Kill-A-Watt® Meter for measuring the energy use of appliances and equipment
  • A thermal detector that checks for heat loss through windows, vents and doors
  • A special thermometer that helps set refrigerators and freezers to appropriate temperatures
  • A water flow rate bag that measures the true rate of flow from faucets and showerheads

The accompanying User Guide shows you step-by-step how to measure the energy use and water use of appliances and equipment in your home, and then shows you to reduce that energy and water use. Anyone with a valid library card can borrow a toolkit for up to two weeks from all branches of the San José Public Library. Visit the library's DIY Toolkit page for more information on availability.


This short video, created by Green Ninja, covers how to use several of the tools provided in the toolkit.