Lower voltage sockets

CumbrianCelery

Hi, my first post ever on here, so please let me know if I am out of process or anything.

I overheard a colleague the other day saying that he was installing lower voltage power throughout his house, to help save a few pennies going the energy company's way (I have phrased it much nicer here! haha)

Has anyone done this, and has it been effective or have you had issues?

[Deleted User]

Electricity is sold by the KiloWATT per hour which is calculated by Voltage multiplied by Current. So if you decrease the voltage then the current must increase to get to the wattage that the device needs. Therefore the power used (and charged for) is the same.

AndyPK

Sure he wasn't winding you up?


Did he mean USB sockets? which don't save you money

unforeseen

Well, the snake oil advertising has suckered your colleague in good and proper. I estimate his savings will never exceed zero especially after taking into account the cost of the equipment to achieve the lower voltage.

I can't be bothered saying why, just read the following link that explains it
http://www.yougen.co.uk/blog-entry/1948/Is+domestic+voltage+optimisation+all+it'27s+cracked+up+to+be'3F/

CumbrianCelery

We have USB sockets already as we charge everything up with USB pretty much nowadays.

He wasn't talking to me direct - it was a typical 'work kitchen' conversation that I was eavesdropping on.

He was showing the guy he was telling pictures and a website, but I was with a supplier so couldn't really ask him more about it. I haven't seen him since to ask, and it's been on my mind since Tuesday!

System

Are you sure that he wasn't talking about installing LED lighting in place of conventional lighting? This will save you money. For example. I replaced 4 by 50W halogen bulbs with 4 by 3.5W LED bulbs a couple of years ago. So instead of using 200Ws per hour, my consumption is 14Ws per hour. They still work on a 230volt supply.

CumbrianCelery

No, I told him about those when he was looking at new lighting, so it's not lighting.

CashStrapped

He's been had.......

This sounds like one of those "whole house" energy saver scams which were popular a number of years ago.

If you think you need to warn him off (maybe get more information first), show him this video from a well regarded electronics engineer. He tests a lot of things, debunks myths etc. . The information can get a bit technical at times but if you stick with it, the point is pretty clear.

Here is one of him explaining a "whole house energy device" and how they (or some) operate...and...why they are a bit of a scam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKasA4HxaGY

It gets in to explaining how it works in a domestic scenario at around 12mins. Stick with it, it is very informative.

Also, stick to the end....where he designs his own "snake oil" energy saver...quite funny.

applicationcen

If you lower the voltage then all the appliances need to be rated to that voltage.
There are 2 prevalent systems, 240v as in the UK and 110 in America.
IN a domestic / retail applicance scenario:-
To keep appliances safe they are limited to certain range of amps.
The same kettle with a switchable 110/240v input will take twice as long to boil in a 110v circuit.
All the internal wiring will cost a great deal more as the circuit needs to potentially handle twice the Amps.
There is no efficiency benefit between 110 / 240 v AC systems. However latency in 110v systems could extend the amount of heat lost over the time an oven or kettle takes to heat up, so in my book time wasted is inefficient.
The installation cost is significantly higher, UK qualified sparks and heating-electrical qualified engineers won't be insured for 110.
Using non standard 110 v appliances in the UK will cause any insurance loss adjuster to laugh like a drain if your friend sets his house on fire with gadgets not approved for use in the EU.

footyguy

CumbrianCelery wrote: »

Hi, my first post ever on here, so please let me know if I am out of process or anything.

I overheard a colleague the other day saying that he was installing lower voltage power throughout his house, to help save a few pennies going the energy company's way (I have phrased it much nicer here! haha)

Has anyone done this, and has it been effective or have you had issues?

I did this in my daughters Doll House. :cool:

Good luck!

applicationcen

CashStrapped wrote: »

He's been had.......



Here is one of him explaining a "whole house energy device" and how they (or some) operate...and...why they are a bit of a scam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKasA4HxaGY

It gets in to explaining how it works in a domestic scenario at around 12mins. Stick with it, it is very informative.

Also, stick to the end....where he designs his own "snake oil" energy saver...quite funny.

Brilliant!!!