Voltage management cuts electricity bills

Visitors to Interbuild 2008 last month (October) were said to be the first in the world to witness the VPhase VX1 Smart Voltage Management unit. This is a brand new technology that is set to cut electricity bills by 10% by reducing the electricity consumption of homes and SMEs.It device works in conjunction with the consumer unit (fuse box), reducing and regulating the voltage on selected circuits that are most likely to deliver greatest savings. Not only does the smart voltage management technology make significant reductions to electricity costs, it also reduces energy wasting as well as carbon emissions from generation sources.

The UK electricity distribution network operates at a nominal 230V, although in practice average voltages are more likely to range between 240V and 245V. The VPhase VX1 manages voltage to a stable level of 220V, regardless of the incoming supply voltage.

Dr Lee Juby, says: “Our research demonstrates that higher voltage levels do not necessarily enhance performance. For example a fridge does not get colder with a higher voltage supply.

“In fact, high voltage levels can be known to shorten the operating life of a product, such as light bulbs. They can also produce surplus energy, which is wasted in the form of heat. Using the low cost VPhase VX1 to manage the voltage to a pre-determined level towards the lower parameter means that the energy consumption of many household appliances can be reduced by anything between 5% and 18%.”

Devices that exhibit energy savings when voltages are reduced include refrigeration appliances, washing machines, dish washers, tumble dryers, vacuum cleaners, other devices using motors, air-conditioning units, central heating pumps and lighting (including energy saving lightbulbs).

Heating devices such as ovens and electric showers wouldn’t show any savings but these high current appliances are usually connected through other stand alone circuits.

More information: www.vphase.com