What is voltage optimisation?
Voltage optimisation is a technique used to moderate the amount of electricity your business uses. By determining the minimum amount of power required by your business, you can use voltage optimisers to limit excess voltage and thus save money.
Additionally, by ensuring that appliances receive the optimum voltage required for their operation, voltage optimisation helps to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and prolong the lifespan of electrical equipment.[1]
How does voltage optimisation work?
Voltage optimisation works by adjusting the voltage levels supplied from the grid to match the optimal requirements of electrical appliances and equipment.
This is achieved through the installation of voltage optimisers, such as voltage regulators or transformers, at strategic points in the electrical distribution system. When electricity passes through the voltage optimiser, the voltage is automatically reduced to the necessary amount required for an appliance to function.
Not only does voltage optimisation reduce overall energy consumption, in turn reducing your business’s outgoings, but it’s a clear signal that your business cares about its impact on the environment. Many consumers are choosing to engage with environmentally conscious businesses and voltage optimisation boosts your credibility with this market.[2]
Typically, you can choose between three voltage optimisation devices:
Fixed voltage optimisers
These maintain a constant output voltage level, ensuring a consistent supply to electrical equipment regardless of fluctuations in the incoming voltage from the grid.
Combined voltage optimisers
These integrate both fixed and variable optimisation capabilities, providing users with benefits of both stability and flexibility in voltage regulation.
Variable voltage optimisers
These offer flexibility by allowing users to adjust the output voltage level based on specific requirements or changes in energy demand.
Selecting the right optimiser depends on the nature of your business. If you are an energy intensive business, then choosing a variable voltage optimiser to closely manage the voltage should be more effective. However, the initial outlay will be costlier than a fixed voltage optimiser.
Your choice will ultimately come down to your budget, business size and amount of energy you use.
Pros and Cons of Voltage Optimisation
When making changes to your business premises, you need to assess whether it makes sense to do so, and this holds true for installing voltage optimisation. Below we’ll explore the pros and cons:
Pros of installing voltage optimisers
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Voltage optimisers, by design, directly reduce energy consumption.
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By lowering energy usage, voltage optimisers can lead to significant cost savings for businesses.
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Decreasing energy consumption helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly.
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Providing electronic devices with the correct voltage levels helps them overheating and deteriorating.
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The technology is over a hundred years old and very reliable.
Cons of installing voltage optimisers
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The upfront costs of purchasing and installing voltage optimisers can be relatively high.[3]
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Voltage optimisers may require periodic maintenance to ensure proper functioning, adding to the overall cost of ownership.
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Tech problems can lead to ineffective results, such as faultily configured voltage optimisers transmitting too low a voltage to power equipment.
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Voltage optimisers could unexpectedly disrupt the power supply to your business.
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The installation of voltage optimisation equipment may require compliance with specific regulations or approvals, adding complexity and further cost to the process.
How much do voltage optimisers cost?
The cost of installing voltage optimisers varies depending on the brand you choose and how new the model is.
Whole domestic prices start at around £350, commercial and industrial-sized voltage optimisers can set you back £1500.
Whether it’s worth the cost depends on your business’s circumstances. You will start making savings almost instantly daily, but the initial outlay could be too costly for your budget.
How are voltage optimisers installed?
Voltage optimisers must be installed by a qualified electrician. Most optimisers need to be installed between the main electricity meter and the consumer unit.
Each business will use energy differently and their business site will consume electricity differently. It's imperative you hire a verified professional to examine your business site and decide how and where to install voltage optimisers.
Is voltage optimisation worth it?
When deciding whether voltage optimisation technology is worth it for your business, it's important to take stock of what energy your business uses and the amount you use.
It’s essential you identify how many of the electrics you use are voltage dependent and what proportion these make up of your total energy outgoings.
If a high proportion of your business’s power supply is consumed by voltage-dependent appliances, it could be a no-brainer to install voltage optimisers.
However, if your electricity consumption is primarily due to voltage-independent loads, it may not be worth installing voltage optimisers.
For example, businesses with a lot of electrical appliances and equipment that are sensitive to voltage fluctuations, such as computers, HVAC systems, and manufacturing machinery, are likely to benefit the most from voltage optimisation in terms of energy efficiency and equipment longevity.
Larger, energy-intensive businesses that rely on high electricity consumption are more likely to benefit from voltage optimisation than an SME with minimal electricity usage.
Additionally, voltage optimisation contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Businesses that prioritize corporate social responsibility may find value in implementing energy-saving measures like voltage optimisation.
Ultimately, the decision to invest in voltage optimisation should be based on a thorough assessment of the business's energy needs, financial considerations, and sustainability goals.
Conducting a cost-benefit analysis can help determine whether the potential savings from reduced energy consumption outweigh the upfront costs of installing and maintaining voltage optimisation equipment for your business.