What is it? How much is it, what does it do? & a WARNING!
Energy isn’t the same as power. If you reduce the voltage to the circuit to your kettle it will use the same amount of energy to boil the water, it will just take a little longer. The same applies to your oven heating up, or your washing machine heating the water. When used in a domestic Solar PV installation, Voltage optimisers are largely installed to compensate for the deficiencies in the poorly designed grid-tie inverters we find when retrofitting or repairing systems by others, those inverters that can’t handle the normal variations and surges in the LV distribution network.
They are also useful to regulate voltage to older types of white ware appliances and electrical goods. Older more power hungry electrical appliances will last longer with frequent range voltage. However, it’s also very important to note that a voltage optimiser will offer little or no savings to the latest smart appliances and therefore less reputable companies offering a voltage optimiser for upwards of £1k (we’ve unfortunately seen customers pay £5k 😳) stating savings of 20-30% off your electricity bills are completely false.
At Solartherm UK almost all PV systems installed since 2011 were fitted with a voltage optimiser FOC, with most service calls reporting the units still operating perfectly with no requirements for repairs or expense.
If you require a voltage optimiser then we usually charge £399-499 inc vat depending on the distance from our HQ. Please don’t get taken in by unregulated sales company offers!
If you need help or advice please get in touch via our live link on the website which will put you straight through to a qualified engineer, or give us a call or send an email.
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