Energy efficiency and voltage optimisation for RSLs

Published by Matt Cody for VPhase in Housing and also in Environment

Voltage Optimisation (VO) has been used in industry for many years, saving millions off annual electricity bills, and now the technology is available for use in domestic homes. The market leader VPhase is already specified by a number of RSLs and its low cost product is on trial with a further 55. VPhase is also the top rated VO supplier within the PfH framework. Recently, Stockport Homes placed a 1,200 unit order and British Gas a 980 unit order for installation at City South Manchester Housing Trust. Great Places Housing Group was one of the earlier trial projects,  which demonstrated electrical savings of 8.7%, a whole house CO2 saving of 3.6% and demonstrated the ease of installation of its zero maintenance product. The saving and CO2 results were independently verified by EA Technology. VPhase devices are now specified in rewires, voids and new builds at Great Places.

Energy efficiency is an important area of focus for RSLs, particularly as it addresses fuel poverty whilst also combating carbon emissions. When selecting green technology for housing stock, two common metrics used are “£ saved per £ spent” and “kg of CO2 saved per £ spent”. Importantly, after insulation, VPhase voltage optimisation is the next most effective and affordable technology.

For 1,000 properties, a typical install of VPhase voltage optimisation units can realise annual tenant savings of around £50,000, whilst incurring zero maintenance and service charges, against an installed cost of around £300,000 (per 1,000 properties, compared to the £6m for a similar number of solar PV systems).

Focusing on energy efficiency vs. alternative energy generation is increasingly important because, after all, the cheapest kilowatt is the one you’ll never have to use.

Matt Cody, Head of Marketing, VPhase plc | www.vphase.co.uk