energy saving devises

brenda50

Many thanks Cardew for saving me some money

ChumpusRex

There are several types of devices on the market.

The most common are the 'saver plug' type things for fridges/freezers. These will periodically turn the fridge/freezer off from the mains. Saving energy that way.

The problem is that they cause the temperature in the fridge to rise, so that the fridge runs at a higher temperature, and you run the risk of food spoiling. You would do better by ensuring your fridge is kept defrosted, the door in good condition and the thermostat set to a sensible level.

The manufacturers of these things claim that their computer controlled system avoids big temperature swings, etc. but there is a limit to what it can do when it doesn't have a temperature sensor.

The newest fridges have sophisticated thermostats with electronic control, so it's likely that one these plugs will only disturb the controller, especially as the controller already uses the same sort of techniques to minimize energy.

The link above, as cardew rightly says, does nothing for domestic customers. I'll elaborate very briefly:
Power (rate of consumption of energy) is measured in Watts (W) or kilowatts (kW = 1000 W). Your electricity meter measures the number of watts and the time they are used for, measuring total energy (recorded as kilowatt-hours, or kWh).
For complex reasons, some appliances actually stress the power grid (and your wiring) more than you would expect for an appliance of similar Watt rating. E.g. a 1000 W motor uses 1000 W, but the power grid has to do the carry the same amount of current as if it was supplying 1400 W of lighting. I.e. it's apparent power is 1400 VA (volt amps - a different unit is used to distinguish between 'real' and 'apparent').
The device linked above is a 'power factor corrector' it brings grid stress back into line with the actual power consumption.
For residential customers this is irrelevant - the electricity meters are designed on to measure true power Watts and to ignore the apparent power. For a residential customer, these devices would do absolutely nothing.

Things are slightly different for industrial customers, because their energy consumption could be big enough that they can put big loads on the grid. In this case, they would usually have a meter than measure both real and apparent power, and be billed for both.

Overall advice is that any such device is likely snake oil, while it may do something, it may not be very useful, or without undesirable side effects.

Cardew

The Goverment rightly goes to great lengths to get us to save fuel/energy in our cars, in the home etc. Appliances are 'A' rated etc etc.

If there was any 'device' that could make even modest savings it would be promoted by the Government.

Yet we have con men advertising magnets that go on fuel lines in your car and give 30% better economy etc etc. also all these electrical devices that are a complete waste of money.

It is a pity that the Government cannot find a way to prosecute these people for fraud; for that is exactly what it is - fraud.

Terrylw1

Cardew wrote: »

The Goverment rightly goes to great lengths to get us to save fuel/energy in our cars, in the home etc. Appliances are 'A' rated etc etc.

If there was any 'device' that could make even modest savings it would be promoted by the Government.

Yet we have con men advertising magnets that go on fuel lines in your car and give 30% better economy etc etc. also all these electrical devices that are a complete waste of money.

It is a pity that the Government cannot find a way to prosecute these people for fraud; for that is exactly what it is - fraud.

Couldn't agree more, internet marketing especially.

Your best off going for the product itself rather than attaching such things that have no real proof unlike the main appliances that do. Like the age old mobile phone brain frying argument that spawned a million little add ons...