SCAM ALERT! - ECKO / KVAR, Power Factor Correction For Home Use

[Erickson]

This is a SCAM ALERT about the ECKO / KVAR Power Factor Correction device.  They are mounted next to your power panel or electrical meter and are supposed to lower your power bill by "correcting" the electricity flow.

They go by several names and descriptions; ECKO / KVAR, Power Correction, Power Factor Correction, Power Factor Optimizer, Energy Correction, Energy Controller, and others.

As a military trained electrician and electronics technician familiar with both residential and industrial power systems, I could bore you with all the technical details of how these devices function, but The National Institute for Standards and Technology has already done that for me.  Those who enjoy digesting all the graphs and numbers can click that link, and here's another good page that tells the technical tale:
http://www.nlcpr.com/Deceptions1.php

For my readers, I will take this one down in a way we all can relate to.

Most homeowners know that the power company charges us for the Watts we use as measured in the thousands, called Kilo-Watts (KW).  Watts is simply a combined measurement of Volts multiplied by Amps.

The term "Power Factor" can be described as the Amps becoming "out of sync" with the Voltage flow.  Whenever appliances in our homes first turn on, the Amps spike up for a split second.  At the same moment, the Volts drop by the same amount.  The Power Factor is basically the ratio of the two represented by a number between 0 and 1.

KVAR (Kilo-Volt/Amp Regulator) devices only serve to flatten the Amperage to Voltage ratio.  This may sound very important and useful at first, but when we remember that Watts (what we pay for) is always the product of both, it's easy to see that these spikes cannot affect our power bill.  Furthermore, it is our household appliances themselves that actually cause these changes, so they cannot be damaged by them.

The absolute fact of this concept is this: Power Factor Correction devices for use in the home are a SCAM.  The entire idea is false.  Even if the unit were 100% free (instead of the $300 rip-off), you are still not saving anything by correcting any power factor issues that may or may not exist.  Having a "low" or "bad" Power Factor has no negative effect on our homes, our appliances or what the power company charges us, plain and simple.

A "Fox 10 News Report On KVAR Energy Savings" repeated on many scammer websites shows an alleged test of the device that completely misrepresents how home power systems work and what effect the device has.

There are several companies going door-to-door right here in Pinellas County, one under the name "Florida Energy Conservation Advisors."  They not only sell common light bulbs marked up 34%, but also falsely claim that their ECKO / KVAR "power correction device will save every home owner 8%-30% on their energy bill" which is nothing short of a bold-faced lie.  They aggressively push a "FREE Home Energy Conservation Evaluation" to get their foot in your door.  In my opinion, you should NOT let these scammers into your home.
UPDATE (9-9-2010):
Sometime after I first published this article, "Florida Energy Conservation Advisors" removed their false claims about the KVAR device. Kudos to them!  However, many other companies are still claiming it can lower home power bills.

This is just another "green" scam, run by liars who invent a problem and then sell a "solution" to it.  Global warming is most certainly real, as is the rising price of energy, and "going green" has definite value both ecologically and economically.  However, the ECKO / KVAR device is a waste of your money.  If you want to save on your power bill, turn off the lights, turn up the A/C, insulate your attic, seal-up your doors and windows, and stop standing with the fridge door open.

Feel free to sign up and post here and/or contact me if you have any questions.  I remind our readers that I am always willing to debate any issue I've raised.  Keep in mind that all claims require proof.

[Erickson]

I've been getting telemarketing calls from 727-251-6604, and 727-656-7943 with a recorded message about government money for energy savings.  When I press 1 to get a rep, they identify themselves as "Energy Conservation Group" and that the company is registered in Florida, but the State of Florida's website (http://www.SunBiz.org) has no listing for it.  They claim that the calls are a "public service announcement" to avoid prosecution under the Federal Do Not Call law (http://www.donotcall.gov).  The reps refuse to give any more information, and calling these numbers always leads to a "full" voice mail box.

The REAL "Florida Energy Conservation Group" states on their website that they don't advertise outside of the Miami / South Florida area, and that "Florida Energy Conservation Advisors" is frequently confused for them.

Furthermore, these calls began right about the time I got a door-knob hanger on my front door (with a "No Solicitation" sign) from "Florida Energy Conservation Advisors".  Which leads me to believe that this is the actual company that is calling.

It would appear that Florida Energy Conservation Advisors is misrepresenting themselves as this "Energy Conservation Group" to get their foot in the door to sell home-owners the ECKO / KVAR scam and over-priced light bulbs.

UPDATE:
I've discovered that at least some of these calls originated from a company called "Solar First" which also uses high-pressure door-to-door salesmen to push over-priced solar water heaters as well as the KVAR scam.

[Erickson]

From:  Devin Sagnella

Hello, this is Devin with Florida Energy Conservation Advisors. I request your contact here at our office. We in NO WAY have anything to do with ANY Telemarketing Firm. You are incorrect in your statements. This is slander. We have contacted our legal team and are ready to move forward with prosecution. You make claims about a company that are unsubstantiated and wrong. As far as your OPINION on the ECKO/KVAR Power Corrector with which you obviously know NOTHING about. It is supported by NASA, Fox News, CNN, & MSNBC Along with the National Environmental Report. Our Office Number is 727-787-9772. I will forward you when you call to the owner of this establishment. I strongly encourage your contact.
 If I Do Not here from you, You Will hear from our Lawyer
~Florida Energy Conservation Advisors, Inc. Administrative Operations Supervisor.

^{(Edited to remove user's email and IP addresses.)}

[Erickson]

Devin,

Firstly, thanks for visiting our site.  It's good to know that the word is getting out.  Secondly, I am gratified to have you join the debate.  Since your response arrived via our contact form, I took the liberty of posting it for you here.

Although you have not provided much in the way of actual rebuttal, I will address what I can.  You said:

[The ECKO / KVAR device] is supported by NASA, Fox News, CNN, & MSNBC Along with the National Environmental Report.

However,

• NASA does not support your claims that power factor correction will reduce residential power bills.
• "The National Environmental Report" is nothing but a long-format commercial program (info-mercial), paid for by the companies profiled in it.
• The news organizations you list are not involved in scientific product testing or review.

You say that I "know nothing about" the ECKO / KVAR device.  Accuracy is very important to me, so please correct any specific errors that you feel I've made.

As for your denial of any affiliation with telemarketers, I don't see any reason to believe you.  Florida Energy Conservation Advisors are the only local KVAR / energy scammers that have made contact with me, - by illegally canvasing my neighborhood - so it's a safe bet that they are also behind the illegal phone calls local residents are getting with the same sales pitch.

As for your threats, you may want to inform your legal team that "slander" refers to the spoken word, while in print it's called "libel".

[eckokvar]

I have been told time and time again that this device saves you money.  I would recommend this to anyone who it looking for a way to save money and use energy more efficently.  I have had one in my home for the past 9 months and my elctric bill has gone down over 20 dollars a month.

[Erickson]

Repeating over and over again that "it works" does not magically make it true.

You have made extraordinary claims without providing any scientific evidence.  This is a violation of the rules of this board.  Please provide the necessary evidence, or retract your claims.

There is no need for another thread on this topic, so I've merged echokvar's thread with this one.  The debate will remain here.

@echokvar:  Sorry, your post about GoDaddy was lost due to my merging your thread.

For the record, echokvar had posted something to this effect:

echokvar wrote:
"I'll keep posting here until you stop blocking me.
GoDaddy will give me your real IP address."

I'm not blocking you in any way.  Please post in this thread instead of making a new one.

I can't imagine why you would want my IP address, but currently it is:
173.171.172.114

If you want to know who I am, where I live, etc., just ask.  I don't hide.

I'd like to point out that echokvar's own website is registered with "Domains By Proxy" to hide the owner's real information.

Why are YOU hiding, echokvar?

ADMIN EDIT:
Combined three short posts into one.

[eckokvar]

The facts to this device are given on the manufacturers website listed below.

Obnoxious, Over-Sized, KVAR Spam Link removed by ADMIN.

[Erickson]

Only information from INDEPENDENT sources will be accepted as evidence.

Please stop spamming this forum by improperly creating new threads.

Just so it has been said.  What is published on that site and all the others that sell the KVAR devices are LIES.  If you disagree with me, then PROVE IT.

And for the record... I know EXACTLY how these products work and why they DO NOT save home owners on their power bill as I've explained in detail in the original post of this thread.

[eckokvar]

I wish to preserve my own voice.

[Erickson]

Creating multiple threads for the same subject will not be tolerated.

You have been asked nicely.  Please stop disrupting this forum.

So, besides spamming this forum and repeating your empty claims over and over again, do you have anything to add to this debate?

What we are looking for is real, scientific data from independent sources that backup the claims you have made on your own site and here.

Please don't post here unless you have something of real value to contribute.  This is not a place for you to advertise.

ADMIN EDIT:
Combined two short posts into one.

[eckokvar]

I am a happy customer of the KVAR device and only a simple person not caring about scientific data.  I am satisfied with this product, END result.  You prove to me that it doesent work and can some how tell me why my electric bill appears lower the past few months compared to last year, then I will stop posting what I BELIEVE is fact from my experience.  I care about numbers at the AMOUNT DUE when the bills come in, and this is better then fact when you have a family to feed.

I believe this product is good for the environment.  This information below is not SPAM, it a publish resource INDEPENDANT from your own.  

[Spam link removed by ADMIN.]

[Erickson]

I am a happy customer of the KVAR device

I strongly suspect that you are actually someone who stands to profit from the KVAR scam.  You even put the "Florida Energy Conservation Advisors" logo image in your first post.  Your loyalties are quite clear.

You prove to me that it doesent work

I and many others have already done that.  Read the OP.  There is a huge amount of scientific data that proves the KVAR device can't lower a residential power bill.  I challenge you to point out ANY real evidence from an independent source that proves otherwise.

...my electric bill appears lower the past few months compared to last year...

APPEARS is the key word here.  Because you have not done any controlled testing that eliminates all the variables, your conclusions are not valid.  Just because you "believe" that the KVAR device is doing something, doesn't make it so.

I care about numbers at the AMOUNT DUE when the bills come in...

That's all well and good, but the KVAR device is NOT the reason your bill is lower.  You are assuming that it is, but without any evidence.

If you choose to make a purchase based on advertisements that are contrary to established facts, that is your right.  However, most would agree that such behavior is not wise.

[I am] only a simple person not caring about scientific data...

You posted here in response to a request for real scientific debate.  Claiming now that you are not interested in that is insincere.  I suspect that you do not wish to discuss the science because you know that it will not survive any close examination.  This is a very common tactic for tech scammers.  They make crazy claims that are allegedly based in science, but when challenged they step back from the science and just keep repeating "all I know is that it works".

We are only concerned with verifiable facts here.  If you don't like scientific debate, you are in the wrong place.

Update:
Are you seriously holding up Fox News as an "INDEPENDANT" (sic) source?  Seriously?  That tired old YouTube video proves nothing.  News reports are not evidence, and that "test" is worthless from a scientific point of view.

Only tests that strictly adhere to The Scientific Method are valid.

[eckokvar]

My loyality is in a product that has worked for me.  This forum is about YOUR views on a prouduct. Have you purchased one?  Is one currently in use at your residence?  Have you experienced what the KVAR can do for your home?

[eckokvar]

And another point, you seem to be the only one on this blog complaining about it.  I see no other posts from any dis-satisfied owners....

[Erickson]

These are not simply my views.  They are proven facts with scientific evidence to back them up.  Another common scammer tactic is to ignore the clear and distinct difference between personal opinions and scientific fact.

Why should I or anyone else waste money on something that contradicts basic science?  You're suggesting that I can only know how or if the technology works if I have put one on my own home, but that has no basis in logic.  Limited personal experience by any one person in an uncontrolled environment such as a lived-in residence is not a valid testing protocol in keeping with The Scientific Method, so any perceived results are invalid.

Don't get me wrong; I'm very glad to have you as a member here, but...
You've already said that you have no interest in a real scientific debate, so why are you still posting in a thread dedicated to scientific discussion of provable facts?

I think it's clear that you work for Florida Energy Cons or some other KVAR scam organization.  As a result, I don't see how you can expect to be taken seriously.

ADMIN EDIT:
Corrected typos.

[Erickson]

And another point, you seem to be the only one on this blog complaining about it.  I see no other posts from any dis-satisfied owners....

Why do you think that individual opinions (like those of KVAR scam victims) matter in a scientific debate?  This is about scientific facts, not personal beliefs.

[eckokvar]

Scientific Discussion?  This is about consumer protection and awareness!!

I am discussing my experience with a product you describe as faulty and a scam. I am invoicing my experience. I am happy with the product, I am using the product, and I will continue to recommend it to my friends and family.  Is there a scientific method to prove customer satisfaction?  

[eckokvar]

And as a disabled Veteran on fixed income, you can accept my opinion on wanting to back something that saves me money.

[Erickson]

Personal experience proves nothing.

Comparing one power bill to another proves nothing.

This topic is for the scientific debate of KVAR type devices, not for personal product reviews.

BTW:

...a product you describe as faulty...

I never said they were faulty.  Do you know something I don't?

[Erickson]

I'd like to thank eckokvar for demonstrating some of the most common techniques used by snake-oil scammers like those that sell the KVAR for home use.

The primary goal of the scammer is to blur the line between fact and opinion.  Facts are firm and inflexible when it comes to bending the truth, but opinions can be anything the speaker likes.  By injecting opinions into a factual conversation, the scammer attempts to distract the consumer away from the simple truth of the matter.

Let's review... On the one hand, we have well-known scientific facts that describe entirely how KVAR devices work.  Those facts along with a basic understanding of electrical engineering clearly shows that KVAR devices can not reduce kiloWatt/hours used.  There is no controversy here.  These truths are well documented and easily understandable by anyone who cares to learn.  "eckokvar" has stated that they are not interested in such information.

On the other hand, we have commercial advertisers making claims that contradict all that accepted science.

So what IS "eckokvar" interested in?  The sales pitch; more so than the mountain of basic science accepted by the rest of the world.  This raises a very interesting question, eckokvar.

What persuaded you to cough up the $300.00 to begin with?  (Lemme guess, it was a gift.)  You didn't have your own personal experience to draw from at that time, so you must have simply swallowed whatever the salesman/website fed you.  If you had done any research, you would have seen all the scientific information from independent sources saying that power factor correction can't lower residential power bills.  If you are ACTUALLY just a happy customer as you claim, then I can only guess that you either didn't bother to do any research, or inexplicably chose to believe that electrical engineers are all liars, and advertisers are trustworthy.

Vets and the elderly are common targets for scammers, and as a war veteran myself, I think I'm within my rights to say that you are giving your Brothers-In-Arms a bad name by endorsing a product utterly useless to homeowners in a fraudulent way.

The only way your stated position makes any sense whatsoever is if you are a KVAR salesperson yourself.  That is the key here, isn't it?  You are one of the scammers.  RIGHT?  You've been avoiding this question so far; how about a straight answer?

[Erickson]

UPDATE:

Today, I noticed that Florida Energy Conservation Advisors' website seems to have been edited by our friend Devin Sagnella (see above reply) to remove their false claims!  It would seem that they have seen the light, and are no longer willing to outright lie on their site about the KVAR unit.

They have removed the specific claim that the KVAR will lower residential power bills that I have quoted above (and triggered this profile to begin with).  They do still talk about the KVAR unit, and are recommending it for home use (which makes no sense to me personally), but they no longer actually claim it will reduce costs.

I'm counting this as a complete victory on our part in that the public is no longer being lied to about what the KVAR can actually do for them as homeowners.  At least, not by Florida Energy Conservation Advisors' website, anyway.  I will do some more complete reading on their newly updated site to see if there are any other false claims, but for now, I'm quite satisfied.  After all, our only goal is to protect the consumer.

Kudos go out to Florida Energy Conservation Advisors for giving up their false claims and providing their site visitors with only accurate information.  Well done!  On an interesting note; if you remove the KVAR scam from the equation, the services they provide may even be useful to some, except the over-priced light bulbs and maybe that "Thermonomics" mystery product which I'm currently researching.  We shall see how they proceed from here...  I personally hope for the best.