An Introduction to Energy-Saving Devices: Do They Really Work?

Plug-in devices. Energy-star appliances. Smart meters. Harmonics filters. All of these are energy-saving devices you might be considering to help save money on your residential or commercial energy bill each month—but do they actually work?

Let’s take a look at energy saving-devices—from what they are to what types you should consider for your home or business.

What is an energy-saving device?

An energy-saving device describes any technology designed to reduce energy consumption at either the consumer or business level. Reducing the overall energy consumption of your home or business can help you save money—and reduce your environmental impact.

At the consumer level, energy-saving devices include efficient lighting solutions like LED bulbs, smart thermostats that optimize heating and cooling, and power strips with energy-saving features. 

On a larger scale, businesses employ advanced building-management systems, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy sources such as solar panels.

Types of energy-saving devices

1. Plug-in devices: Consumer home plug-in energy-saving devices are often marketed as “miracle devices.” They claim to enhance the efficiency of electrical appliances, reduce standby power, or improve your power factor. However, most of these devices have no scientific backing and don’t produce any real results. While some legitimate devices may help optimize energy use, a plethora of scams and dubious products make it challenging to differentiate between genuine innovations and deceptive claims.
2. Energy-efficient appliances: Energy-efficient appliances, including dishwashers and LED bulbs, are a tangible and effective means of reducing energy consumption for residential properties and businesses. LED bulbs in particular have revolutionized lighting efficiency by providing the same illumination as traditional bulbs while using significantly less energy. Energy Star–rated appliances, like dishwashers, incorporate advanced technologies to optimize water and energy usage, making them eco-friendly choices for environmentally conscious consumers.
3. Smart meters: Smart meters offer real-time insights into the electricity usage of a home or facility. By providing you with energy data about your property, these devices can help identify areas of waste and make informed decisions to save energy and reduce costs. This detailed information on energy consumption (often referred to as “energy data”) reveals patterns in usage and can help you save energy—making smart meters valuable tools in the quest for energy efficiency.
4. Harmonics filters: At the commercial scale, harmonics filters mitigate harmonic distortions in energy to create a cleaner and more stable power supply (often referred to as “power quality”). While this may sound like scientific jargon, harmful harmonics caused by non-linear loads (or energy loads with waveform distortions) can lead to equipment malfunctions and energy losses. Harmonics filters reduce these distortions by injecting an inverse current waveform into the system to cancel out the harmonic distortion.

Do energy-saving devices really work?

Yes, legitimate energy-saving devices can indeed deliver tangible benefits for both residential homes and businesses. In residential settings, energy-saving appliances such as LED bulbs and Energy Star–rated devices can significantly reduce electricity consumption without compromising functionality. Additionally, smart meters can empower you with real-time insights into your energy to help you make informed decisions about your usage and any potential waste. However, avoid home plug-in devices that claim to reduce energy usage—these are typically scams. 

For businesses, smart meters are a standard practice, as they provide critical data that identifies the quality of their energy and the areas of waste in their facility. In commercial and industrial environments, harmonics filters are a quick solution for immediate energy (and cost!) savings.

If you’re looking for a convenient and proven energy-saving device for your business, Electripure’s CleanPQ™ system is both a smart meter and a harmonics filter in one device. This means that you get data insights on your energy usage as well as cleaner energy that saves you money month-to-month. It’s an all-in-one energy-saving device that helps you save money while meeting your green initiatives. 

Electripure offers free consultations to see if our technology is right for your business. When you’re ready to get your money out of the energy you’ve already paid for.
‍Contact us to schedule an appointment