Scam Opinion by Open4Energy
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The Kilowatts or real power (Volts x Amps x power factor) used by an appliance will not change when power factor is corrected. The cable resistance losses eliminated by power factor correction are negligible in most homes.

But according to KVAR, they capture and store the reactive power (var's) generated by an electric motors while it runs. We have agreed to conduct tests with KVAR to quantify any reduction in electricity by storing these "captured" vars in a capacitor, and serving them to the motors when required. The electric motors in a household include; fridge compressors, air conditioning fans, heat pumps, water pumps etc.

It is important that we are clear on the distinction between a product that scams consumers by exaggerated claims of electricity saving through pfc and a product that scams consumers by claiming it does pfc when it does not. We are of the opinion that the KVAR branded pfc products listed above (we will cover product quality and performance separately) are a technology capable of performing pfc.

It is also important to understand that the issues we raise are only applicable to home owners. Commercial companies and industrial users do require power factor correction for the improved reliability of their electrical equipment, to save electricity, and to save on their electrical bill

There is truth in the fact that our homes have devices which consume electricity at lower power factors. As an example we know that "CFL light bulbs" have a Power factor of between 55% and 70%, while incandescent light bulbs have a power factor of 100%. All electric motors, including fridges, air conditioners, fans and computers generate reactive power which will affect their power factor.

Based on the above information it could sound logical that a pfc technology 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 corrected my earlier opinion of "NO saving" to "usually negligible" thanks to an informative discussion with the founder of V-Blox Mr David Mulvaney.

Mr Mulvaney contacted me regarding his company and said "I want you to know we do not recommend power factor correction in homes and I will be the first to tell you that savings if any would be negligible". Noticing that his company is on a list of "imitation KVAR products" published by a KVAR distributor, I listened to his version of the story. I will be writing a separate posting on how it seems that the real pfc scams have developed. I did find all he said to be professional and reasonable.

Mr Steve Fish, CEO of KVAR Energy Savings Inc. also contacted me. He said "we are a professional organization and will take back any KVAR product that fails to reduce the electricity bill by less than our guarantee of 6%".

There is clearly an issue here, and both CEO's did acknowledge that their resellers were capable of "overzealous selling" - I suggest that all consumers be vigilant when investigating "var" or KVAR related savings in their home.

Opinion of NLCPR
Power Factor Correction (for residential customers) is a scam. If you would like to see a detailed explanation of why it is a scam, comments and all you could ever know, visit the NLCPR web site

Quote from the author of NLCPR "This site is my personal contribution to creating a sustainable society. All of the material here is original and unlike other sites, there are no Google ads nor do I hesitate at calling things as I see them. I want you to have the knowledge to recognize environmental foolishness when you see it."

Opinion of Electrician Talk
Take a look at this discussion thread on Electrician Talk to see what the professional have to say!

And if that does not do it for you, take at look at this, one of many postings at GardenWeb.

"Pure unadulterated garbage. They ought to be arrested for so grossly misrepresenting the facts. The true facts are: You do NOT pay for Volt*AMPS as they imply. You only pay for the actual power you consume, VOLTS*AMPS * POWER FACTOR. The so called "reactive power" is of no consequence to you. And, by the way it is NOT power. Only the power company benefits from this type of device (a bunch of phase changing capacitors) since it reduces the current over their transmission lines, thus reducing THEIR losses, not yours. You do NOT benefit one iota from this .....