KIRKLEES Council is helping people to save on their electricity by giving away free ‘smart meters’.

The meters monitor electricity consumption, so that householders can easily see the difference made by turning off appliances instead of leaving them on stand-by, or switching to energy saving lightbulbs.

Kirklees Library and Information Services have teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre and power company E-on to provide the 300 free meters.

They are available for three-week loan periods to library members.

The meters can be reserved.

Non-members must join a library before they can receive a meter.

It is free to join but you need to visit your local library with identification showing your name, address and signature.

The smart meters are also available from mobile libraries and the home service library.

Clr Christine Stanfield, Kirklees Council cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “The meters are an excellent way to save energy and money.

“They can be borrowed free of charge and taken home, enabling residents to assess how efficiently they use electricity in their home.”

Information leaflets and advice about the meters is available from staff at any of the Kirklees libraries.