Consumers Warned Against 'Dirty Power' Energy-Saving Device Scams
Grand Valley Rural Power Lines, Inc. is cautioning consumers about fraudulent 'energy saver' devices marketed to reduce electricity bills. These devices, often sold online under names like 'power optimizers' or 'voltage regulators,' claim to slash electricity costs by addressing 'dirty electricity' or 'reactive power.' However, according to Walter Fees, Manager of Engineering at Grand Valley Rural Power Lines, Inc., home electric meters only measure 'active power' (kilowatts and kilowatt-hours), which is what consumers are billed for, not 'reactive power.' Experts advise skepticism towards products promising significant savings without clear explanations of how these savings are achieved. A YouTube video investigating one such device revealed it contained only basic components like a capacitor and surge protector, with no actual power measurement or control capabilities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has previously warned that energy-saving claims must be substantiated by reliable evidence.
