The Powerhouse
Q: Where is the Powerhouse manufactured?
A: The Powerhouse is manufactured right here in the U.S. by Innovative Energy Solutions, Inc. (formerly Black Hawk Energy Products LLP), which is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. All units are built in Tennessee, using U.S. made components. The new variable kVAr units are made by General Electric in Florida.
Q: Can I order my Powerhouse unit(s) online?
A: All Powerhouse units are custom-built to specifically meet the needs of your home or business – one size does not fit all. Therefore, units cannot be ordered online. Your facility and power usage are evaluated to determine what is best for you.
Q: How does the installation process work?
A: The specific power usage of your home or business determines which Powerhouse unit(s) should be installed. Powerhouse units will be installed in a way that targets your largest loads, optimizing your return on investment. Once your order is placed, manufacturing and shipping will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Upon receiving your unit(s), we will contact you to schedule a time to have a licensed electrician perform installation. Installation times vary depending on your facility. In general, one unit takes 2 - 4 hours to install. In most cases, the units can be installed "live" -- i.e., no power-down time -- but the electrician will determine this on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How many Powerhouse units do I need?
A: The number of units needed is dependent on your unique power usage and setup. Typically, only one unit is necessary for residences. Commercial and industrial sites may benefit from one or more. A "power sizing" evaluation will determine if more than one is needed.
Q: Does the Powerhouse come with a warranty?
A: All units are backed by a 5 year parts warranty. As of 15 years in operation, there have been no failures or maintenance issues with the Powerhouse.
Q: What is the typical payback period?
A: Customers are experiencing an average payback period of 15 months or less, through energy bill savings alone. The Powerhouse also extends the life of equipment, resulting in additional savings through deferred maintenance costs.
Q: Is the Powerhouse good for the environment?
A: Definitely! All forms of electricity have an environmental impact. In the U.S. a significant percentage of electricity is still generated from fossil fuels. The Powerhouse lowers energy consumption and recycles power commonly lost to the ground back into your system. A reduction in your energy demand results in a reduction of fossil fuels.
Q: I have solar panels. Can I benefit from the Powerhouse?
A: Yes. The Powerhouse helps the motors in your home or business run more efficiently. When the motors on your property (A/C, Heat Pump, Washer/Dryer, Refrigerator, Freezers) are more efficient, they will require less energy from your solar system. If you are selling electricity back to the power company, that means more dollars in your pocket.
Q: I have Variable Frequency Drives. Can I benefit from the Powerhouse?
A: Yes. We will work with you to understand where your VFDs are located (directly on the motors or Motor Control Center) and determine the best installation configuration.
Q: What type of maintenance does the Powerhouse require?
A: None. The Powerhouse requires no special cooling and does not have any moving parts. Each unit comes with a 5 year parts warranty.
Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes. The Powerhouse, and all its components, are UL Listed. UL is a global independent safety science company with more than a century of expertise innovating safety solutions from the public adoption of electricity to new breakthroughs in sustainability, renewable energy and nanotechnology.
Q: When can I expect to see savings on my utility bill?
A: You’ll experience the benefits of the Powerhouse as soon as it is turned on. Built-in surge protection safeguards your expensive electronics while stabilized voltage allows your machinery to run smoother and more efficiently.
Utility billing cycles typically range from 25 – 35 days. So even though the Powerhouse will begin saving you money by recycling energy back into your system immediately, depending on which point during your billing cycle your unit was installed at, full savings may not be realized for three months. Also, "demand charges" imposed upon some businesses and industries by utility companies will need to be re-evaluated after installation, so maximum savings are realized.
Q: I’m moving. Can I take my Powerhouse with me?
A: Yes. A licensed electrician can easily remove the unit and install it at your new location. If your electrical needs change, a different sized unit may be advised to maximize your energy savings.
Q: Why would a utility company such as the TVA endorse a product that reduces utility bills?
A: The Tennessee Valley Authority, one of the largest utilities in the U.S., has accepted Innovative Energy Systems and the Powerhouse into their Preferred Partners Network. Membership is awarded to those who demonstrate commitment to the design, installation, servicing, and promotion of high quality energy efficiency and demand response technologies and equipment.
So, why would a utility company – who makes money by charging for energy – want to help anyone reduce their energy consumption? Well, there are several reasons…
1. Utility companies are often required at the state or federal level to allocate a small percentage of each consumer’s bill to an energy-efficiency program. This is why you may see utilities offering smart meters, or appliance and lighting upgrade rebates.
2. Utilities in regulated markets may be additionally incentivized to help you save because they must issue refunds if they bring in more revenue than allowed, but are compensated for the difference if they bring in less than the allowed amount. If you consume less, then utility company has to spend less to supply energy, yet they are still guaranteed the same profit.
3. It may be in a utility’s best interest to reduce consumption to ensure they can adequately meet energy needs during peak demand times. Peak demand is when consumption is at its highest, typically Monday – Friday 9am-9pm. It is much less expensive for a utility company to reduce the consumption of energy than to build a new power plant to meet the area’s demand.
Q: Where is the Powerhouse manufactured?
A: The Powerhouse is manufactured right here in the U.S. by Innovative Energy Solutions, Inc. (formerly Black Hawk Energy Products LLP), which is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. All units are built in Tennessee, using U.S. made components. The new variable kVAr units are made by General Electric in Florida.
Q: Can I order my Powerhouse unit(s) online?
A: All Powerhouse units are custom-built to specifically meet the needs of your home or business – one size does not fit all. Therefore, units cannot be ordered online. Your facility and power usage are evaluated to determine what is best for you.
Q: How does the installation process work?
A: The specific power usage of your home or business determines which Powerhouse unit(s) should be installed. Powerhouse units will be installed in a way that targets your largest loads, optimizing your return on investment. Once your order is placed, manufacturing and shipping will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Upon receiving your unit(s), we will contact you to schedule a time to have a licensed electrician perform installation. Installation times vary depending on your facility. In general, one unit takes 2 - 4 hours to install. In most cases, the units can be installed "live" -- i.e., no power-down time -- but the electrician will determine this on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How many Powerhouse units do I need?
A: The number of units needed is dependent on your unique power usage and setup. Typically, only one unit is necessary for residences. Commercial and industrial sites may benefit from one or more. A "power sizing" evaluation will determine if more than one is needed.
Q: Does the Powerhouse come with a warranty?
A: All units are backed by a 5 year parts warranty. As of 15 years in operation, there have been no failures or maintenance issues with the Powerhouse.
Q: What is the typical payback period?
A: Customers are experiencing an average payback period of 15 months or less, through energy bill savings alone. The Powerhouse also extends the life of equipment, resulting in additional savings through deferred maintenance costs.
Q: Is the Powerhouse good for the environment?
A: Definitely! All forms of electricity have an environmental impact. In the U.S. a significant percentage of electricity is still generated from fossil fuels. The Powerhouse lowers energy consumption and recycles power commonly lost to the ground back into your system. A reduction in your energy demand results in a reduction of fossil fuels.
Q: I have solar panels. Can I benefit from the Powerhouse?
A: Yes. The Powerhouse helps the motors in your home or business run more efficiently. When the motors on your property (A/C, Heat Pump, Washer/Dryer, Refrigerator, Freezers) are more efficient, they will require less energy from your solar system. If you are selling electricity back to the power company, that means more dollars in your pocket.
Q: I have Variable Frequency Drives. Can I benefit from the Powerhouse?
A: Yes. We will work with you to understand where your VFDs are located (directly on the motors or Motor Control Center) and determine the best installation configuration.
Q: What type of maintenance does the Powerhouse require?
A: None. The Powerhouse requires no special cooling and does not have any moving parts. Each unit comes with a 5 year parts warranty.
Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes. The Powerhouse, and all its components, are UL Listed. UL is a global independent safety science company with more than a century of expertise innovating safety solutions from the public adoption of electricity to new breakthroughs in sustainability, renewable energy and nanotechnology.
Q: When can I expect to see savings on my utility bill?
A: You’ll experience the benefits of the Powerhouse as soon as it is turned on. Built-in surge protection safeguards your expensive electronics while stabilized voltage allows your machinery to run smoother and more efficiently.
Utility billing cycles typically range from 25 – 35 days. So even though the Powerhouse will begin saving you money by recycling energy back into your system immediately, depending on which point during your billing cycle your unit was installed at, full savings may not be realized for three months. Also, "demand charges" imposed upon some businesses and industries by utility companies will need to be re-evaluated after installation, so maximum savings are realized.
Q: I’m moving. Can I take my Powerhouse with me?
A: Yes. A licensed electrician can easily remove the unit and install it at your new location. If your electrical needs change, a different sized unit may be advised to maximize your energy savings.
Q: Why would a utility company such as the TVA endorse a product that reduces utility bills?
A: The Tennessee Valley Authority, one of the largest utilities in the U.S., has accepted Innovative Energy Systems and the Powerhouse into their Preferred Partners Network. Membership is awarded to those who demonstrate commitment to the design, installation, servicing, and promotion of high quality energy efficiency and demand response technologies and equipment.
So, why would a utility company – who makes money by charging for energy – want to help anyone reduce their energy consumption? Well, there are several reasons…
1. Utility companies are often required at the state or federal level to allocate a small percentage of each consumer’s bill to an energy-efficiency program. This is why you may see utilities offering smart meters, or appliance and lighting upgrade rebates.
2. Utilities in regulated markets may be additionally incentivized to help you save because they must issue refunds if they bring in more revenue than allowed, but are compensated for the difference if they bring in less than the allowed amount. If you consume less, then utility company has to spend less to supply energy, yet they are still guaranteed the same profit.
3. It may be in a utility’s best interest to reduce consumption to ensure they can adequately meet energy needs during peak demand times. Peak demand is when consumption is at its highest, typically Monday – Friday 9am-9pm. It is much less expensive for a utility company to reduce the consumption of energy than to build a new power plant to meet the area’s demand.
