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Voltage Optimisation Savings

The voltage supplied to your home or business needs to vary to ensure that the distribution network works effectively, offering the best supply to all users at all times. Across Europe the agreed statutory range for voltages is based on 230V +/-10% (207V to 253V). In the UK our voltages have historically been higher and whilst actual levels will vary during the day they typically average at around 245V.

The majority of appliances operate more efficiently at lower voltage (but still within the European statutory range). Voltage Optimisation is the control of voltage supplied to appliances to a set level (usually 220V).

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Presented below are example energy savings achieved in VPhase testing and based upon 245V to 220V voltage reduction.

  • Appliances with motors and pumps
    • “A rated freezer” – 17% energy saving
    • “A rated refrigerator” – 16% energy saving
    • 3 speed central heating pump – 15% to 18% energy saving
  • Lighting
    • CFL lighting – 11% energy saving
    • Incandescent bulb – 15% energy saving
    • Low voltage halogen spot lights – 15% energy saving
  • Consumer electronics
    • Results for consumer electronics vary widely, examples are given below:
      • DAB radio – 5% energy saving
      • DECT cordless phone base station – 30% energy saving
      • ADSL modem and wireless router – 5% energy saving
      • Personal Computer – 4% energy saving
      • Hi-Fi – 13% energy saving
      • Electric heating
        Closed loop (thermostatically controlled) heating will make no energy savings through the application of voltage
        optimisation. Reducing the voltage applied to an ohmic heating element will reduce the heat output from that element
        and the power drawn by that element however the element will remain on longer to achieve the same heating effect
        (and therefore consume the same amount of energy).
      • Whole house saving
        There are many variables to determine the overall energy savings, however savings of £80 a year off electricity bills
        have been demonstrated. If this were achieved in every house within the UK this would be the equivalent CO 2
        reduction of taking 2.3 million cars off the road every year.




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