Abdullah Shoaib
Managing Director
6 min read
Last Updated March 05,2025
Is voltage optimisation worth it?
In this blog, we outline the pros and cons of voltage optimisation so you can determine whether it’s the right choice for your business.
Are voltage optimisers worth getting?
If you’re serious about getting into voltage optimisation, then it may benefit you to consult a specialist who can visit your premises, assess your energy needs and give you tailored advice on the best course of action.
But first, it pays to be aware of what voltage optimisation is capable of, how it might potentially affect your energy bills and what the possible drawbacks could be.
Benefits of voltage optimisation
For some businesses, voltage optimisation can have a huge positive impact on electricity usage.
- Less energy consumed = lower energy bills
While your standing charge won’t be affected by voltage optimisation, the rest of your bill is calculated based on how many units of electricity you’ve used multiplied by the price per unit. Reducing your electricity usage is a sure way to reduce your bills even if you already have the most competitive tariff.
- Reduced carbon footprint
Electricity generation is yet to become fully carbon neutral in the UK, and that means that carbon emissions are associated with the energy we use. By reducing your business’s electricity usage, you can reduce its carbon footprint at the same time, helping to protect the environment.
- It’s kinder to your appliances
All UK appliances are made to work with the voltage of electricity supplied from the National Grid – but that doesn’t mean they’re at their best in those conditions.
In the UK, supplied electricity voltage can vary significantly within the acceptable bounds used by the UK and EU. All of your appliances should be able to function at these differing levels, but if the electricity isn’t being supplied at the preferred voltage, it could wear your appliances out quicker than you’d like.
Drawbacks of voltage optimisation
Although voltage optimisation has its merits, it’s not the right choice for everyone.
- Initial set-up costs
Voltage optimisation is a process that can save you money in the long run, but it might not be the solution you’re looking for if you’re having cash flow problems. There are installation costs associated with fitting voltage optimisers, and it could be up to two years before the equipment pays for itself.
If you’re looking for low-cost ways to reduce your energy bills, consider switching your energy supplier or encouraging your staff to adopt energy-saving habits.
- Set-up disruption
Fitting voltage optimisers involves a qualified electrician interrupting the power supply to your business premises, which could result in temporary power outages while the work is being carried out.
Some businesses may be able to schedule installation at a time that’s better suited for outages, such as outside of working hours. However, this might not be possible, so you should consider the possibility of revenue being affected during installation.
Important: Installation is not a one-size-fits-all process. Depending on the size and complexity of your business, it could take a day or longer to implement voltage optimisation safely.
- Savings can vary
Voltage optimisation isn’t a guaranteed way to reduce your energy consumption by a certain amount. It all depends on the kinds of appliances you use at your business.
Some appliances are known as ‘voltage dependent’. This means that they’ll use less energy if you supply them with a lower voltage. The bulk of voltage optimisation savings involve this type of appliance, as they have a direct impact on your costs.
Examples of voltage dependent appliances include fridges, freezers, microwaves, washing machines, tumble dryers, air conditioning, lifts and escalators.
Other appliances may be ‘voltage independent’, which means voltage doesn’t affect their power consumption. You can still make savings with these appliances in terms of reduced maintenance or replacement costs due to using a better suited voltage – but if your business primarily uses these appliances, you might not achieve the savings you’re looking for.
Examples of voltage independent appliances include TVs, electric heating, computers and ovens.