10 eco gadgets you don’t need

Technologically, how difficult can it be to have a real ‘Off’ button your remote control?

I accept that you can’t then have an ‘On’ button on the remote (because the appliance has to be in some kind of ‘On’ mode in order to be able to receive the signal from the remote) but it’s hardly any effort to switch something back on with a hard ‘on’ button on the appliance.

Our washing machine has an “eco sensor” for the amount of water to put in when it rinses. The result is frothy clothes/towels etc that I then have to rinse in the washing machine one or two more times to get them even moderately froth-free (and that’s with us putting in detergent that’s just a fraction of the amount the container tells us to put in!). A good test is to fill up the sink then rinse a newly washed flannel in it. Then continue for about 10 mins until it’s sufficiently froth-free to use (especially if you have sensitive skin!).
I’m also not convinced about condenser boilers (one of which we had installed on recommendations from just about everyone when our previous boiler “died”). We have to run our hot water taps for so long to get the hot water through (which is then scalding hot as we don’t have mixer taps!), that we were wasting huge amounts of water and now just use the cold tap instead!
I agree re turning down the thermostat. We’ve had ours at about 18 degrees for years and it’s reflected in our gas usage when compared with other local houses’ averages. We always tell our visitors to bring something warm when they come round in the winter (we’re quite comfortable in autumn/spring clothing, not even needing thick jumpers) but our friends have their thermostats set at about 25 degrees and sit around in sleeveless (summer type!) tops and t shirts in the depths of winter so it’s no wonder they feel cold in our house!

Forgot to mention the water-saving loo cistern, too, that we have to flush twice if we want whatever’s in the loo to disappear!

It has come to our attention that the VPhase product has been mentioned in a recent Which? test. We have been in communication with Which? as regards the tests carried out by Which? and whether these were fair and appropriate.

It is our position that Which? failed to test the VPhase against the appliances in the home that not only use the most electricity, but also that can save the most from having their voltage optimised, such as fridges, freezers, central heating pumps, TVs and computers.

The test also seems to have failed to take into account that the product is hard-wired into the fabric of the building and therefore does not require any change in lifestyle or behaviour by the home owner.

With the extensive testing we have conducted with Ofgem and other organisations we remain very confident about our savings claims. The VPhase is designed for a life of at least 25 years, and we consider a period of 3 to 5 years for the product to pay for itself to be reasonable, particularly in light of current increases in electricity prices.

The product comes with a 5 year warranty so that there is no risk to the home owner of the product not working within this 3 to 5 year period.

In the context of other energy saving technologies, such as solar PV systems, loft insulation, or heat pumps – the payback periods and energy savings are very competitive.

As a company we are committed to providing to home owners what we believe is one of the greenest energy saving devices on the market at this price point.

[Personal details removed by mods – we don’t encourage personal phone numbers to be left, however if you want to contact VPhase you can do it by visiting their own website]

The primary point of contention here is that you have tested the VPhase in an environment in which it is not designed to be used. The VPhase, unlike the other products in the test, is designed to be hard-wired into the fabric of a building by a professional electrician and will optimise the voltage for the entire house (excluding the resistive heating circuits, as outlined in the installation instructions). In the context of other similar energy saving measures that are integrated into the fabric of the building, such as solar PV systems or heat pumps – not only is the VPhase voltage optimisation device significantly cheaper, but it offers a much quicker payback period and is more effective in terms of “£ saved per £ spent”. As already outlined in our earlier response – the VPhase is expected to have a payback period of between 3-5 years; and with a 25+ year life, we consider this payback period to be more than reasonable. Finally, we don’t think your testing environment is representative of a typical energy profile of a home and is therefore not a good indication for consumers to base their decisions on. The various, independently verified results that have considered whole-house applications are much more relevant and accurate, and can stand up to technical scrutiny.

Would it please be possible for you to post how Much is “some” when describing the energy savings of the vphase unit, when it isn’t used with heating devices..? Does it save the 5-15% as suggested?

Tw

I am alarmed that the energyEGG did not undergo the testing one would expect from Which and which your readers would have expected to be carried out. Rather, its functions are inaccurately described and the product rubbished, causing a small start-up company potentially irreparable damage.

I note the following:
1. The online content has been changed twice since you were alerted to this problem. This demonstrates that post-publication you still did not appreciate the core function of the product you were reviewing but still made damaging and untrue comments.

2. The revised ‘shock’ comment now does not make sense. It is the operation the product is designed to do. Why, therefore, would your tester get a shock. Surely if they had read the instructions or had the most rudimentary understanding of the energyegg they would expect this to happen?

3. The second view regarding the payback also demonstrates a lack of understanding about the product. It is intended to switch products off when they have been left ON. The fact that it will handle standby is a secondary benefit. Surely, you can appreciate there is a lot to be saved from appliances that are accidentally left ON

There are many other features to our product that will save the consumer money. In short you have published extremely damaging and erroneous comments in a publication which for many is the epitome for credibility and integrity as far consumer journalism goes.

How about making smart meters number eleven on the list?
They won’t actually save you a penny but they will collectively cost us all £11 billion.
Yet “Which” supports they roll out, but I’ve yet to hear a plausible justification for that support.
I think (as I believe do many others) “which” has got it wrong this time. However I invite “which” to comment, justify this support and convince me I’m wrong.
How about it?