How energy efficient your backup power system is will determine how much money you can save, and how much you have to spend to keep it up and running should you suffer outages.
What is Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) efficiency?
Understanding and Maximising UPS Efficiency
It might sound obvious, but Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) efficiency is really important. It protects you in the event of a power outage, and helps your backup power generators keep you online until the mains supply kicks back in.
How energy efficient your backup power system is will determine how much money you can save, and how much you have to spend to keep it up and running should you suffer outages.
So, what is UPS efficiency? And how do you find out the energy efficiency of your UPS system and equipment? Here at Vital Power, our UPS engineers have put together this guide on all you need to know about UPS efficiency, so you can get the most cost-effective and reliable power system to keep your business online.
Our 4 Step Process
Contact Us
Looking for a generator for your site? Contact us via the contact form below or give us a call to get started with your critical power solution
Tell us your requirements
Our team will discuss your requirements with you, explaining the options available to you.
Site survey
One of our highly skilled generator engineers will visit your site to map out to take note of your power requirements, where the generator will be installed, answering any questions you may have
Delivery, installation & commissioning
Once the order has been placed, our team will then install your generator on site. We also carry out rigorous commissioning processes to ensure that your equipment is ready to support your site.
What is UPS efficiency, and what does it mean?
In essence, UPS efficiency is the measure of how much power your Uninterruptible Power Supply system requires to run itself. So, for example, a UPS unit with an efficiency of 95% will use 95% of power on the actual load, and 5% on running.
Different manufacturers and models will have different energy efficiency rates, and it’s important to do your research before choosing one. You may see “power factor” mentioned – power factor essentially measures the efficiency level of your equipment.
When you look for your new system, you’ll notice that the UPS manufacturer will state an efficiency rating – it’s important to remember that this is based on a unit with 100% power (UPS running with a full load) as a starting point. Efficiency rates for UPS units will decrease as load requirements do.
UPS efficiency varies significantly depending on the actual design and type of the unit. Typically, energy efficiency levels are raised for larger units. This is because the power that’s needed to keep the unit running makes up a smaller overall part of the unit than in smaller models.
Why is UPS efficiency important?
UPS efficiency is important for your business’s bottom line – the more efficient a unit, the cheaper it will be to run. Because Uninterruptible Power Supply systems are vital elements that for many businesses can’t be compromised on, it’s really important to make sure that its energy efficient and its power consumption is cost-effective to run.
If your Uninterruptible Power Supply isn’t running efficiently, it can be really costly. Under-performing units generate more heat, which in turn needs to be cooled down with air conditioning. Of course, today’s modern UPS systems are designed for energy efficiency, and you can ensure good levels with an expert UPS installation from experts like our Vital Power engineers.
Making sure your UPS is efficient and using energy well is an important part of any good maintenance schedule. Our team can help with how to check UPS battery health and how to make sure all parts are working as they should.
How to calculate UPS efficiency levels
When you buy or rent Uninterruptible Power Supply systems, you’ll be able to see information about your equipment and its energy usage. This will list efficiency rates under various loads, usually displayed as an ‘efficiency curve’.
You can calculate how much it will cost to keep your UPS system using the below equation, if you know how much you pay per kWh and the relevant efficiency levels per load profile (manufacturers should be able to supply this information.
(Uninterruptible Power Supply kW rate x Load %) / efficiency – (UPS kW rate x Load %) x (24 x 365) x cost per kWh
Clearly, this is a fairly complex calculation. Many UPS manufacturers have created efficiency calculators of their own you can consult to figure out how much you’ll be paying.
Vital Power’s UPS team can also help with calculating efficiency, working out how to cut energy costs and making sure your power generation system is ready for anything, even a mains power failure.
What Our Customers Are Saying
"I wanted to say a big thank you for the way my generator was installed by one of your engineers. It was done extremely professional and quickly. The engineer projected a tremendous sense of enthusiasm and confidence – and his small-talk is also most interesting to hear. I was left in awe of his complete understanding of the installation requirements. He even management to iron out a difference on the auto start that the manufacturer did not tell him about. A very clean and good working in all respects, he is a tribute to your company"
Site Manager
"Your engineer was absolutely brilliant - he got the generator working again really quickly and so I have power; he was also really professional and a real asset to your company. I would recommend your company in a heartbeat. Thank you all for helping me out in a time of need. I'm very grateful."
Site Manager
"I would like to say that your company is very customer driven. To offer a service outside your normal scope to fulfil a market need is exceptional and professional. When our new generator requires a service, I will contact Vital Power again"
Maintenance Manager
"Everyone at Vital Power is very professional. I was really impressed with Managing Director, he worked very hard to make sure we were happy and got everything right. The engineers were superb and extremely professional when they came to inspect our cabling requirements. We couldn't be happier with the result and I couldn't fault the work at all. We're really pleased."
Site Manager (BituChem)
"Very happy with the engineer that was on site yesterday to get involved with the power switchover. All went successfully and brilliant result! Thank you."
Maintenance Manager
"Credit to Warren, he's been absolutely unbelievable. To get the generator working in the time that he has is amazing. Great work and thanks again."
Contracts Manager
"I have just received a phone call from the client in regards to the engineer’s visit yesterday. They were very impressed by him, so much so they are thinking of switching all other generators they have over to you. It’s so good to get positive feedback, thanks again for your help"
Contracts Manager
"Your engineers are great, they are keen to help and work proactively to get things done. We were also seriously impressed with Phill Walters getting an emergency hire set to us in just 2-hours from the initial phone call!"
Engineering Manager
Inspiration from our Blog
Send us a message
Discover power solutions for your commercial and public needs today
