Though we're all doing our best right now to cut down on power consumption, by turning off unnecessary lighting and keeping the air conditioner temperature down low (if it's on at all), when it comes to finding out just how much energy we're actually saving, most of us are in the dark. But a new device and app called the Energy Literacy Platform (ELP), developed by startup company Sassor, can shed some light on our personal energy consumption.

The ELP, which is on limited release to homes in and around Tokyo this summer, was found to assist in cutting domestic energy consumption by as much as 25 percent in a recent trial run on the NHK morning show "Asaichi." The ELP package consists of modules that are plugged in between your electric sockets and appliances, a main ELP receiver and software for your computer and iPhone. The modules collect information on power consumption and then send them via wireless signal to the receiver, which then forwards the info to the company's server. Users can then check their power consumption on their PC or iPhone.

Though devices like Google's "Powermeter" already allow users to monitor domestic power consumption, Sassor's system allows users to identify devices, such as hairdryers or kettles, that are causing a huge drain on the power grid. If you're checking on devices from your iPhone, you can even turn them off remotely via the ELP website. The information is displayed in graph and pie chart form, so you can easily get a handle on your power consumption habits. The app will calculate how much you're spending on electricity and it's also possible to compare and contrast your power usage online with friends.