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Energy Saving
Voltage Optimisation
In the first place, Voltage Optimisation (VO) can cut up to 19% off electricity bills. However, only some businesses are suitable for a voltage optimiser.
IU Energy will install a VO, but only when it can be clearly demonstrated that it helps a client.
For example, VO works well with –
- Fans
- Pump motors
- Transformers
What is a Voltage Optimiser?
These units are also known as a voltage stabiliser or voltage regulator.
Electrical equipment usually works well at 220V-230V. In general, though, the average UK electricity supply is 242V. Surprisingly, it can reach up to 253V. However, energy suppliers still charge you for everything over 220V-230V.
A voltage optimisation unit ensures delivery and billing on a stable 220V-230V supply, therefore ensuring you are only billed for what you use.
Equally important is that excess voltage increases your carbon footprint, not to mention that it shortens your equipment life.
Check the FAQs below, then download a self-survey form here, and we’ll run a FREE assessment.
Which Voltage Optimisers are best?
The first thing to remember is that IU Energy uses technology brands selected for reliability, longevity, product range and warranty. Indeed, in general, it applies in this case to all our renewable and energy saving brands.
For VO we use British manufacturer, GWE. With great flexibility in system design and build, they also make custom units to fit in awkward spaces. The units come with a 15 year warranty.
Further information
You can download a Technology Information Sheet here.
FAQs
By reducing or ‘optimising’ the voltage supply to your electrical equipment you make instant savings. Quick and easy to fit, a VO will make an immediate impact on the profitability of your business. Naturally, the higher your usage, the more you will save. And with a standard integral remote monitoring system, you will be able to see for yourself exactly what you are saving, in real time, anytime and from any PC, Tablet or smartphone.
The best way to assess this is to download and complete our simple survey form here, because there is no simple answer without this information. The form gives us the necessary information to tell you if VO is suitable for your business.
If you would like a bit more technical detail before you do this, the main commercial benefit when installing VO units is on inductive loads, e.g., transformers, motors which run pumps, fans and the like.
Equipment rated at 220 V should operate satisfactorily down to 200 V. By efficiently bringing supply voltages to the lower end of the statutory voltage range, voltage optimisation technology saves electricity usage.
It is a common misconception that fridges and freezers do not provide savings through voltage optimisation (because they are fitted with a thermostat).
If a fridge or freezer is driven from a higher voltage the result is also heat – however this is not helpful in its intended purpose (cooling). The compressor motor power output is reduced slightly by voltage optimisation, so the fridge/freezer thermostat will keep the motor on a little longer however overall the effect is for the motor to run slightly longer at much lower losses.
Tests at Manchester university showed a 10 °C reduction in motor temperature under voltage optimisation due to the reduced losses in the motor.
The voltage levels at all incoming supply points are logged to find the minimum and maximum voltages and the variations over time.
The logger(s) will be left in place for a minimum of a week. The period should be representative of the typical usage on the sites in order not to bias the findings. Where there are different operational demands, it may be necessary to extend this monitoring.
We understand the importance of uncompromised supply to any safety and business critical equipment. Critical loads include IT equipment, process, operational and medical equipment. Our voltage optimisation site surveyor will check the operating conditions required by the manufacturer to critical equipment.
Apart from the energy saving benefits and therefore the reductions in costs, managing your voltage may improve the quality of the power. Voltage optimisation may improve issues such as harmonics, power factor, phase imbalance and transients – extending the life of your appliances.
Under normal circumstances our equipment will be housed in a suitable, safe position where the cabling can be efficiently installed within your existing buildings. If required, subject to the usual regulations, we can build additional space to house the equipment.
Typically, voltage optimisation equipment does not require maintenance, although we would advise the usual regular checks on the equipment as part of ongoing health and safety and buildings maintenance.
