When you turn your appliances on (refrigerator, AC, washing machine, etc.), their motors withdraw power from the utility company. This power passes through your electrical meter and registers as electrical power usage in kW/h.
The amount of power that we buy is called the apparent power (S), which is broken down into two components. The part that we use is referred to as real power (P). The other part, which gets wasted, is referred to as reactive power (Q). The ratio between the amount of power we use (P) and the amount we buy (S) is called the power factor (Pf): Pf = P/S ≤ 1
In the best situation, which is where we use all what we buy (P=S), the Pf is equal to 1. In real life, that is never the situation. Usually, the average Pf is 0.73. It depends on how many motors you have and what kind of lighting you use. Small motors, fluorescent lights, computers, and HID lights usually have a low power factor.
The power factor corrector helps us to improve the value of your Pf from 0.73 up to 0.98. This means that you are minimizing your waste from 27% down to 2%, which is a 25% improvement. This saving in power will reflect on your meter reading with a savings to you of roughly 10% - 15% off of your power bill.
To save, simply call us to analyze your power. We will tell you how much apparent power, reactive power and real power you have. This will allow us to determine your power factor. Based on the analysis, you will know how much you could potentially save. Then you will decide if you want to install a power factor corrector ("PFC") or not. Corrected power factor means lower utility costs as well as greater efficiency for your appliances and improved safety, not to mention lowering your impact on the environment.
Learn more about Power Factor: download this brochure presented by the U.S. Department of Energy