Do your operations and accounting department ever receive the monthly energy statement and wonder why it is so high no matter what conservation efforts you put forth?  It might have something to do with your power factor.  Power factor correction can improve your building’s efficiency and bring a welcome change to your next bill.

But, What is “Power Factor”?

Imagine you buy a full bucket of water, but you only use a portion of it. This is an illustration of what happens when you have a low Power Factor. In AC circuits, when ideal current flow is perfectly in sync with voltage this translates to a power factor of 1.0 (or 100%), where you get the most out of the energy you pay for.

Many devices, especially motors, use inductive loads that cause current to lag behind voltage. This creates a power factor less than 1.0/100%, meaning you’re using extra current to deliver the same amount of real power.

Changes to Expect After Power Factor Correction

Here’s what you can expect after implementing power factor correction:

• • Reduced Electricity Bills: By eliminating the unnecessary reactive power, you’ll be billed for the real power you use, leading to potential cost savings.
  • Improved Capacity: Power factor correction frees up capacity in your existing transformers and wires, allowing you to add more equipment without overloading the system.
  • Lower Line Losses: Reduced current flow means less energy loss in your electrical lines, improving overall efficiency.
  • Enhanced Voltage Stability: A better power factor can lead to steadier voltage levels, benefiting sensitive electronic equipment.

Beyond the Bill

Power factor correction isn’t just about saving money. It also contributes to a greener future by:

• • Reducing Energy Consumption: Less wasted energy means less power plant generation, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Improved Grid Health: A more stable power grid puts less strain on utility infrastructure.

Taking Action

If you suspect a low power factor might be an issue, don’t hesitate!  Contact Energy Efficiency Group to begin the conversation. 

About Energy Efficiency Group:

Energy Efficiency Group is a Power Factor Correction company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Though we are based in Cincinnati, we have a national (and limited international) reach. We partner with manufacturing, industrial, warehouse, offices, schools, processing facilities, as well as hotels, resorts, theme parks, zoos, etc. Any facility with that features “a lot of moving parts” is a potential candidate to focus on sustainability efforts.  Even if your facility installed 100% energy efficient components- most of these are not manufactured by the same companies and not designed to “work together.” Meanwhile, they may be energy efficient on their own, as a whole they may be working against each other causing inefficiencies. Energy Efficiency Group is partnered with Indianapolis-based Global Energy Solutions Group (GESG) which holds multiple US patents on Power Factor Correction equipment.