Advice on V Phase Voltage Optimisation Units

[jenny8678]

Hi I am looking for some advice and guidance with regards to the V Phase Voltage Optimisation Unit which I have been advised to have installed at my property.
Could anyone give me their views on this product and if it is worth spending the money as an investment ?
I have found one on trades supermarket vphase vx1 and would appreciate it if anyone could advise me of anywhere cheaper ?
Thanks for your help
Jenny

 

[vphase]

When looking at the "£ saved per £ spent" from energy efficiency technologies, the calculations consider the cost of installation and the typical savings achievable. Figures for VPhase have been taken from the independently verified trials with an average 10% saving and an installed cost of £300. Other technology costs and savings were taken from the Energy Saving Trust and YouGen web sites. Based on these calculations, it is only insulation that performs better than domestic voltage optimisation in terms of £ saved per £ spent.

Although it requires a good deal of assumptions, a typical 3 bedroom property with a typical energy bill of around £600 should expect to have payback within 5 years.

The idea of consumers being proactive in reducing their energy consumption is what the concept of smart meters is based upon. However, the reality is that people can and do become complacent. Look at arguments like the Jevons Paradox (HERE) and you must concede that even with the best will in the world consumers will not remain vigilant all of the time. The VPhase device does not need human intervention. It is a fit and forget solution that lowers energy consumption without requiring that change in lifestyle.

As indicated in an earlier post, a DECC report (HERE) from July 2010 outlined how over 67% of a property's domestic energy consumption is related to lighting and appliances. This excludes heating appliances. The whole-house savings of up to 12% that VPhase quote take in to account the circuits that are not optimised.

We're also not saying that VPhase is an exclusive technology. It should be used alongside other technology options, such as the LED (or even CFL) lighting that you suggest. VPhase is another tool that should be available to consumers. It is proven to work and is a lot more cost effective and lower cost than other technologies on the market.

 

[Engineer54]

Sorry, but as you say, far too many assumptions, and over optimistic savings and pay back periods!!

I also think that homeowners are getting to be very switched on when it comes to energy saving = saving money. They may relax at Xmas and other celebrations, but the overall trend in these economic times is towards helping yourself to save on energy costs...

There are i would imagine, few homeowners that could in the present times be able to afford both the vphase unit AND re-lamp every light fitting in the home with LED lamps. I would still say the later is a far better investment than the purchase and installation of one of your vphase units... Oh and remember, REAL savings only start to kick in, when the initial cost has been paid for, you don't start making savings straight away, not in the Real world anyway, but maybe in the world of creative accounting ...lol!!!

 

[vphase]

Sorry, the DECC report link should have been this one HERE

 

[UNG]

Still not seeing a convincing argument here from vphase as I said in an earlier post unless there have been amendments to Ohms law and the power equation then I don't see how savings are made and certainly at the levels claimed on the website

Just noticed the location of Vphase and EA Technology and what EA Technolgy does

Did a google search on "voltage optimisation units" and vphase come in 10th place so there appears to alot of others pushing this lower voltage technology with savings claims

Find it interesting that they push the low and zero carbon emissions, yet most companies don't tell us what the production carbon footprint of the unit is

 

[topquark]

Do you have any technical literature that explains exactly how this works please (not marketing literature)? I'm always interested in reducing my energy costs.

 

[Guest123]

My views remain the same, I'm out!

 

[UNG]

Do you have any technical literature that explains exactly how this works please (not marketing literature)? I'm always interested in reducing my energy costs.

Their website is supposed to have all the info you need. Like you I'm always open to ideas to reduce energy costs but this just doesn't stack up for me

 

[Engineer54]

Their website is supposed to have all the info you need. Like you I'm always open to ideas to reduce energy costs but this just doesn't stack up for me

It doesn't, in fact a lot of the more relevant stuff has been dropped from their website. It was a little too revealing to the more technically minded reader!! .... lol!! They seem to be concentrating on obscure carbon savings these days. The only people interested in that are the anoraks of this world! ...lol!!

 

[Geordie Spark]

I notice that "Jenny" came on here and asked a one off question with a link to the V-phase, the rep came on later with a rebuke to negative comments
Is it just me or was the thread an attempt to use the forum for publicity

Given there has been no response from the original poster

You must be a cynical old bu**er Des ................... just like me !!! :love:

 

[Knobhead]

As a member of an international board I’ve seen many such units. The latest craze in India is domestic power factor correction units. They have no value at all other than lining the pockets of unscrupulous traders. I’m not saying V-Power is unscrupulous but I personally think what you’re selling is snake oil.

1 kilowatt of electricity is 1 kilowatt no matter how we derive it.

If we really look at things we have to take a transformers inherent (thermal, iron and copper) losses in to account. So to save “power” we have to waste power. Out of interest where were the power usage readings taken from? Before or after the unit?

The major power use in a house is heating for whatever reason, next comes lighting. Computers, televisions, phone chargers and all the other plethora of modern life are insignificant compared to the bulk of the loading. What happens when the bulk load comes on? The V-Power unit goes in to by-pass mode negating any saving.

To put your unit in to real practical use we no longer need a two way split consumer unit but a four way split unit. Each floor would need two FRC’s one on the V-Phase supply, the other for “normal” loads.

I have seen slight savings on electricity by voltage regulation in industrial situations, but most households don’t have 4 X 20MVA transformers in the back yard! As I said only slight savings, if a machine needs 50KW to turn it, it will take 50KW regardless of the voltage. Motor and lamp failures went up so it was a very short lived saving.

 

[Rockingit]

let's simplify the argument and iust line up the cliches...

You can't get out more than you put in;
P=VI;
There's no such thing as a free lunch;
Free cheese comes on mousetraps;

[add your own.....]

 

[UNG]

It doesn't, in fact a lot of the more relevant stuff has been dropped from their website. It was a little too revealing to the more technically minded reader!! .... lol!! They seem to be concentrating on obscure carbon savings these days. The only people interested in that are the anoraks of this world! ...lol!!

As I said "supposed to have" the fact it doesn't is another matter. All it has are some dodgy case studies and testimonials for this energy saving placebo as that all it appears to be

To add a cliché or two

B******T baffles some people

If it looks to good to be true then it is

 

[jenny8678]

Well, what can I say. Firstly, thank you to all of those that have answered my question and I apologise for the massive debate that I have started. Unfortunately alot of what has been said is completely out of my understanding but what is apparent is that this is not a worthwhile investment.
For all of you sceptics, I do not work for V Phase but I admit it has been interesting reading your debate and thoughts.

 

[Big n Daft]

"We're also not saying that VPhase is an exclusive technology. It should be used alongside other technology options, such as the LED (or even CFL) lighting that you suggest."

Doesnt the use of other "technology options" reduce the so called effectiveness of your unit?
Looks to me like you've just taken a shotgun to that club foot of yours.
Its also the size of a cu, how many properties have space for another cu.
You quote that savings are to be made over 5yrs on a £200 unit. Brilliant what about a sparks time and materials to fit it, this could run to a new cu when its not even required. The practical problems and cost of fitting this unit are endless. Mind you the install works well on your mock up at EA's, sorry vphase's, HQ.
Do yourself a favour and dont try and sell this product to people who know better, physics is not going to changed in the forseeable future.
Business must be good if your having a go at selling to folk like us. Normally people target the forums first as a marketing strategy and approach the forum through the proper channels (take LINE) or use the boards as a back door when they get desparate.

 

[jenny8678]

I must apologise that I have caused such a stir with you Big n Daft and can assure you that this was in no way a marketing strategy on behalf of V Phase. It was a genuine question to ask genuine electricians their views on the units.