Electricity costs: Due to high energy prices, many consumers sometimes believe dubious providers.
“Up to 90 percent less power consumption” – this is supposed to work with small power adapters. The “miracle devices” are intended to ensure that power consumption and energy costs are significantly reduced. What’s in the promise?
The online portal Heise had already pointed out the consumer trap in November. But such electricity saving boxes are still offered on the Internet – now also from other providers – which are intended to reduce electricity consumption by up to 90 percent.
And the Lower Saxony consumer advice center also classifies at least the offer from getvoltbox.com as a trap and warns against the advertising promise.
How is the power adapter supposed to save electricity?
According to the company VoltBox, their power adapter is intended to prevent “unnecessary current from entering the electrical cables and overloading the network”. This should reduce electricity costs from 251 euros per month to 15 euros per month and even help household appliances last longer.
How is that supposed to work? Voltbox supposedly stabilizes the flow of electricity in the apartment. In addition, the device is intended to reduce the “high-frequency current flow in cables” and thus “artificial electromagnetic radiation” and eliminate “harmful current peaks,” according to the provider’s website.
In addition, with the box there is less “noise on the sine wave” in the power line. This leads to electronic devices drawing more power than they actually need, according to the company.
That’s why the offer is not serious
The Voltbox website also states that the power adapter does not consume any electricity. However, an LED lamp can be seen in the pictures. Accordingly, the product requires at least some energy for its own operation. This was also shown in a study by the VDE testing and certification institute in Offenbach on the Voltbox.
But it’s not just the partially contradictory statements on the website that indicate a possible fake offer:
- The shop has no imprint.
- There are numerous spelling errors.
- Links to the supposed recommendations from Forbes, Fox News and Wired are missing.
- The virtual phone number provided is from Los Angeles. Consumers from Germany would therefore have to accept high costs if they wanted to contact customer service by telephone.
- And despite the American telephone number, the company’s registered office is in Iceland (Kalkofnsvegur 2 101 Reykjavik Capital Region).
- The explanation of how the device technically works is incomprehensible.
What is the device good for?
During their test, the Heise editors dismantled the Voltbox in order to be able to analyze the circuit diagram. They found out that the device is probably based on “a fine surge protection for two-pole power grids”. The testers’ conclusion is that the power adapter plug works “at least as a half-baked surge protector.”
Similar providers
Another company that is entering the market with such energy-saving promises is E-Energy. According to the manufacturer, its product also reduces electricity costs – but only by up to 50 percent. “The device blocks power consumption while waiting, but also prevents voltage spikes. This significantly increases the efficiency of electricity, reducing your ‘idle’ consumption,” says the provider’s website.
Here, too, in addition to the lack of detailed and verified explanations of the technical functionality of the device, there are other indications that point to a fake shop, similar to Voltbox.Other names under which the “electric Saving Box” is also sold on Amazon include Ergeob, Yosoo, Zerodis or Hezhu. Consumers should refrain from purchasing such and similar products.