Power Factor Optimization

[Anon]

Hello all from a long time lurker!

I have been approached by a rep from a small local company trying to sell us
a Power Factor Optimizer, claiming 25% to 33% energy savings on our bills
(residential and industrial).

Last I had heard, power factor was a minor issue in residential systems,
however they are claiming 25% savings.

This power factor optimization "reduces the amount of electricity drawn from
the utility by capturing the otherwise
lost electricity in its Capacitors and sending that electricity back into
the circuit."

Is this worth looking into further or is it deceptive?

Thanks!
Scott

 

[Phil Allison]

"Anon"

I have been approached by a rep from a small local company trying to sell
us a Power Factor Optimizer, claiming 25% to 33% energy savings on our
bills (residential and industrial).

Last I had heard, power factor was a minor issue in residential systems,
however they are claiming 25% savings.

This power factor optimization "reduces the amount of electricity drawn
from the utility by capturing the otherwise
lost electricity in its Capacitors and sending that electricity back into
the circuit."

Is this worth looking into further or is it deceptive?

** The claims re savings are completely false.

The company and its rep is promoting a well known scam and you should report
them to the authority that deals with consumer protection in your area.



...... Phil

 

[Nobody]

On Mon, 11 May 2009 17:34:56 -0500, Anon wrote:

Hello all from a long time lurker!

I have been approached by a rep from a small local company trying to sell us
a Power Factor Optimizer, claiming 25% to 33% energy savings on our bills
(residential and industrial).

Last I had heard, power factor was a minor issue in residential systems,
however they are claiming 25% savings.

This power factor optimization "reduces the amount of electricity drawn from
the utility by capturing the otherwise
lost electricity in its Capacitors and sending that electricity back into
the circuit."

Is this worth looking into further or is it deceptive?

It's a scam.

Not only are power factor related inefficiencies trivial in domestic
environments, but whatever inefficiences exist are almost entirely borne
by the utility. It's unlikely that correcting your power factor to
"perfect" would save even 1% off your bills.

Industrial consumers can be billed extra for poor power factor, but anyone
in a position where this matters (factories with 3-phase motors the size
of a bus) doesn't need a sales rep to explain power factor to them.

 

[Wes]

"Anon" <nospam@vool.com> wrote:

Last I had heard, power factor was a minor issue in residential systems,
however they are claiming 25% savings.

This power factor optimization "reduces the amount of electricity drawn from
the utility by capturing the otherwise
lost electricity in its Capacitors and sending that electricity back into
the circuit."

Is this worth looking into further or is it deceptive?

I'd read your rate sheet that should be on file with your state's public utility
commission. There may be residential types getting hit for excess power factor but I
think it is unlikely.

Industrial consumers in my area, when I was last paying attention, were paying extra if
their power factor was worse than .80 .

Wes

 

[Anon]

"Anon" <nospam@vool.com> wrote in message
news:zQ0Ol.6949$Lr6.5685@flpi143.ffdc.sbc.com...

Hello all from a long time lurker!

I have been approached by a rep from a small local company trying to sell
us a Power Factor Optimizer, claiming 25% to 33% energy savings on our
bills (residential and industrial).

Last I had heard, power factor was a minor issue in residential systems,
however they are claiming 25% savings.

This power factor optimization "reduces the amount of electricity drawn
from the utility by capturing the otherwise
lost electricity in its Capacitors and sending that electricity back into
the circuit."

Is this worth looking into further or is it deceptive?

Thanks!
Scott
Thank you Phil, Nobody and Wes for your replies. I appreciate your input.

I thought it seemed odd that he was trying to market these through small
retail appliance stores, when they require installation into the panel.

I will be passing his info to a few of our electrical contractor associates
in his area, so they are aware of his tactics, as well as the local
licensing board.

Thanks!
Scott in Dunedin, FL

 

On May 11, 3:34 pm, "Anon" <nos...@vool.com> wrote:

Hello all from a long time lurker!

I have been approached by a rep from a small local company trying to sell us
a Power Factor Optimizer, claiming 25% to 33% energy savings on our bills
(residential and industrial).

Last I had heard, power factor was a minor issue in residential systems,
however they are claiming 25% savings.

This power factor optimization "reduces the amount of electricity drawn from
the utility by capturing the otherwise
lost electricity in its Capacitors and sending that electricity back into
the circuit."

Is this worth looking into further or is it deceptive?

Thanks!
Scott

as more and more residences install CFLs, power factor could go down.
I've measured some as low a .75. lighting is a small portion of
residential use so still probably not worth the cost of PF correction.

 

[Phil Allison]

<nevergroup@hotmail.com>

as more and more residences install CFLs, power factor could go down.

** CFLs used in residence are very small load in terms of VA - and one
that is **NOT** PF correctable by the addition of capacitors to the
supply.


I've measured some as low a .75. lighting is a small portion of
residential use so still probably not worth the cost of PF correction.


** There is no benefit whatever in simply adding fixed C to the supply in
domestic premises - cos caps have a a really terrible PF themselves !!!!

Using caps to correct a poor PF only works in the case of inductive loads
( like motors ) and then only when the cap's value is chosen to suit the
load and they connect and disconnect themselves along with the motor.



..... Phil

 

[Eeyore]

nevergroup@hotmail.com wrote:

On May 11, 3:34 pm, "Anon" <nos...@vool.com> wrote:
Hello all from a long time lurker!

I have been approached by a rep from a small local company trying to sell us
a Power Factor Optimizer, claiming 25% to 33% energy savings on our bills
(residential and industrial).

Last I had heard, power factor was a minor issue in residential systems,
however they are claiming 25% savings.

This power factor optimization "reduces the amount of electricity drawn from
the utility by capturing the otherwise
lost electricity in its Capacitors and sending that electricity back into
the circuit."

Is this worth looking into further or is it deceptive?

as more and more residences install CFLs, power factor could go down.
I've measured some as low a .75. lighting is a small portion of
residential use so still probably not worth the cost of PF correction.

Residential supplies are not charged for power factor in the first place, making
the question moot.

Graham