Myths, Scams and Half-Truths: The World of Energy Scams

1. Myths, Scams and Half-Truths:  The World of Energy Scams Brian Sloboda Senior Program Manager brian.sloboda@nreca.coop

2. What We’ll Cover • Sample of most popular scams • Smart questions to ask any salesman

4. Power Factor Correction • A little box • Prices: Up to $500 • Residential capacitor

6. KVAR claims • Boosts power to 100% efficiency • Save around 10% • Specially designed for small commercial and residential • News clips on web site support the claims

12. Inside KVAR

14. RPU 190

15. What’s Bad About the RPU-190? • Breaking the seal between the electric meter and the meter base • Stealing electricity from the utility • Might kill you

17. Power “Optimizers” • Actually small capacitors, these can be legitimate devices to improve power factor • However, the savings claimed for a homeowner who is not being charged for power factor by the utility is highly disputable • EPRI study found KVAR unit saved 0.23%

18. The Problem Is… • Residential kilowatt-hour meters measure and charge for watts consumed • kWh meters do not measure (or charge for) power factor (that requires a kVa meter) • So, if a home has a poor power factor, the homeowner is not held accountable – the utility has to correct for any power factor problems on the distribution system

19. For More Information • Cooperative.com • Keywords: energy-saving boxes

20. FREE ENERGY!!!!!

22. The Facts • You can build solar panels at home • Great project for kids • Not ideal for powering a home • Go with energy efficiency and conservation first, then traditional panels

23. Refrigeration Oil Additives • Liquid added to refrigeration systems • Claim to increase lubrication, reduce heat • Energy savings of 5-30%

24. Background • Several vendors • Chemical components vary • Products displace dirt and oil film

25. Source: Platts

26. The Facts • These are tough to debunk • Some promising technologies might work • Independent tests are rare and some are old • Tests should be conducted on old equipment not brand new

27. Space Heaters • Easy to use • Heat small spaces • Prices range from $20 - $500+ • Some products claim huge energy savings

30. Do They Work • Yes • Savings claims are based on zone heating

31. Zone Heating

32. Other Products Cheaper • Electric space heaters are all the same • When buying an expensive heater you are paying for the look not the efficiency • For more information: Cooperative.com • Keywords: space heaters

33. Motor Voltage Controllers • Sense the load on a motor • Adjust voltage to motor when the motor is lightly loaded • Partially loaded motors are inefficient • Patented in 1977 by NASA engineer • Costs: $800 - $5,000

34. Claims • Soft start • Phase balancing • Voltage surge protection • Undervoltage & phase loss protection • All true!

35. But • Savings depend on size of motor and what it is used for • Motors are around 90%+ efficient • Efficiency can stay even under 50% loading • Savings on a 200-horsepower (hp), 460-volt, 1,800-rpm GE motor would be around 1.5kW or 5% at 20% load

37. How Do You Tell if Something is a Scam or Good Product? • Independent testing is best bet • Tests need to replicate real world conditions • Do tests use new or used equipment? • How long did test run? Was it long enough? • Testing is expensive

38. Questions to Ask • Does it violate the laws of physics? • “changing of the molecular structure. . .to release never-before tapped power.” • What independent lab tested it? • Contact the lab and talk to them • Is it too good to be true? • Tough to answer this one honestly • What is the Payback? • Too long and it isn’t saving enough energy

39. Brian Sloboda • Senior Program Manager • brian.sloboda@nreca.coop