When it comes to cutting your business’s electricity consumption, there are plenty of strategies you can try—turning off appliances when not in use, installing smart meters, or embracing energy-efficient technologies. But have you considered voltage optimisation and energy saving as part of your strategy?

Here, James Goodby, director at Powerdown220, explains how voltage optimisation (VO) can help businesses achieve significant energy savings and determine whether it might be a suitable solution for your operation.

What is Voltage Optimisation?

Voltage optimisation is a form of voltage management technology installed to regulate the incoming grid supply, reducing it to the appropriate voltage level for your equipment. This simple technology can achieve various benefits, such as energy savings, carbon reduction, and extending the lifespan of your equipment.

In the UK, the grid supplies electricity at an average of 242V, while most equipment is designed to function optimally at 220V. This excess voltage can lead to unnecessary energy consumption and even cause damage to your equipment. VO works by lowering the voltage to the level required, ensuring efficiency and reducing both energy costs and wear on equipment.

Does Voltage Optimisation Suit Your Business?

Not all equipment benefits equally from voltage optimisation and energy saving. Electrical equipment can be categorised as either voltage-dependent or voltage-independent.

• Voltage-dependent equipment sees its performance vary with changes in voltage, meaning VO offers significant savings.
• Voltage-independent equipment, on the other hand, remains unaffected by voltage fluctuations.

The more voltage-dependent equipment a site has, the more energy can be saved through VO. For example, VO may not deliver substantial savings with technologies like LED lighting or inverter drives. However, even in these cases, a typical financial saving of 8% could still be realised, representing significant savings over time.

How Much Can You Save with Voltage Optimisation?

Businesses can typically expect savings of between eight to 12 per cent through voltage optimisation. Even for sites with energy-efficient technologies already installed, VO still offers savings of four to eight per cent.

A great example of this is Kinnerton Confectionery, which installed a Powerdown220 voltage optimiser and now sees a 7.52% saving on its energy bills. Additionally, the business saves 40 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, highlighting VO’s potential to improve both financial and environmental outcomes.

The ROI of Voltage Optimisation

If you’re wondering whether voltage optimisation and energy saving make sense for your business, it’s essential to consider both the financial and environmental returns.

VO not only cuts energy costs but also extends the lifespan of your equipment, reducing maintenance and replacement costs. Moreover, lowering your energy consumption means a smaller carbon footprint, which is increasingly important as businesses strive to meet sustainability goals.

According to Carbon Trust, a 20% reduction in energy costs can offer the same bottom-line benefit as a 5% increase in sales. For many companies, this makes VO a financially attractive option, offering quick returns on investment.

Analysing Voltage Optimisation’s Impact

To measure the true impact of VO, it’s crucial to conduct a detailed analysis. Simply comparing utility bills before and after installation won’t provide accurate results due to dynamic loads and fluctuating energy demands. This is why sophisticated monitoring systems are often included with VO installations, providing real-time data on the energy, financial, and carbon savings being made.

If you’re interested in discovering how much your business could save, Powerdown220 offers a free savings calculator to estimate your potential energy savings from VO.

Conclusion: Why Voltage Optimisation is a Smart Choice

Voltage optimisation and energy saving technologies offer an effective way for businesses to reduce electricity consumption, save money, and enhance sustainability. By lowering the voltage to the level your equipment needs, VO not only cuts costs but also improves the longevity of your equipment and reduces your carbon footprint.

Whether you’re looking for financial savings, environmental benefits, or both, voltage optimisation is a smart choice for businesses seeking to improve energy efficiency and overall performance