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EnergyMizer®The "EnergyMizer®" - released by Energy Management Systems - Residential Division - joins a growing list of successful commercial power factor correction technologies making a push into the residential sector using network marketing.

Unlike commercial applications where power factor can affect billing from a utility (not all tariff structures) we have yet to find a state or utility that includes power factor in their residential billing. Please do not be misled by simplistic statements of releasing stored electricity by well intentioned network marketing operations.

I think my biggest concern about this product, besides the fact that power factor correction does not save money on a residential electricity bill, is the complex web of companies involved in promoting this product. At the top of the pile is the public company Just Energy, who market a number of energy products and solutions with much professionalism. The network marketing name of Momentis is included on their web site as part of the group. What was not clear was the relationship with Energy Management Systems, the originator of  EnergyMizer® - and their commercial vs residential divisions.

I suggest home owners be really alert when dealing with a marketing orginazation, aggressively recruiting sellers - and saying this type of thing - "EMS ( Energy Mizer System ) Promotion – Now until end of March 2012, Momentis Representatives will receive a promotional bonus of 75% of the first month rental fees, in addition the direct upline  will receive a bonus of 25% of the first month rental fees." To be clear, this promotion was for the commercial division, it is presented here as an example of how Momentis drives agent activities.

Found in the public domain on one of the many web sites Google return when doing an in depth search!

It may sound logical that a pfc technology (store and release energy) would save money for a home owner. But this is NOT a correct conclusion at all. Improving a consumers power factor will mostly save a "negligible" amount of electricity. I have correct my earlier opinion of "NO saving" to "usually negligible" thanks to an informative discussion with the founder of V-Blox Mr David Mulvaney.

I found this discussion on power factor correction on an energy professionals site - electriciantalk - "Any company that mount a power factor correction device in a home and tell the customer they will save energy should be categorized as such (scammer) - we all know the savings to be negligible. "

When the power factor is less than 100% it means that there is a phase shift between voltage and current. Consumer tariffs are based on Real Power, only the electricity actually consumed by a device. The consumer electrical tariffs include provision for the losses which this "out of phase" might cause the electricity supplier.

Power factor and power factor correction are indeed subjects that we should be aware of, but it is "near fraud" when excessively marketed to home owners as a way to save money on their electricity bill.

If you are uncertain as to the accuracy of open4energy's opinion we suggest you review this study by ScienceDaily - (Dec. 18, 2009) - "If you've seen an Internet ad for capacitor-type power factor correction devices, you might be led to believe that using one can save you money on your residential electricity bill. However, a team including specialists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have recently explained why the devices actually provide no savings by discussing the underlying physics".

With regard to the claims on surges, spikes and noise we suggest you speak to your utility company about this. The needs will vary from state to state, depending on weather, lightening strikes, and other such factors. These electrical variables should be compared to the actual devices (computers etc) that you have powered by each electrical circuit.

We have an overview on "Power Factor" and the definitions for real power, apparent power and reactive power for those who would like to understand more of the technical details on this topic.

 

Open4Energy - Get Smart about Energy™