Home / Understanding Energy Saving Fatigue in the UK: What is the Truth Behind VSD Efficiency Claims?

Understanding Energy Saving Fatigue in the UK: What is the Truth Behind VSD Efficiency Claims?

Energy Efficiency

What Is Energy Saving Fatigue?

In recent years, electrical engineers in the UK have increasingly encountered a growing issue: energy saving fatigue. This term describes the frustration and disillusionment felt by engineers and operations teams due to exaggerated energy-saving claims made by some manufacturers and sales professionals — particularly in the industrial motor and variable speed drive (VSD) markets.

The Reality Behind Variable Speed Drive Energy Claims

Most VSD manufacturers provide basic software tools that estimate potential energy savings based on limited inputs such as motor size, running hours, electricity cost per kWh, and drive price. However, these tools often oversimplify complex industrial applications and present hypothetical savings as guaranteed results.

A common myth is that reducing motor speed by 20% results in a 50% drop in energy consumption. While this may apply in specific centrifugal pump or fan scenarios, it does not hold true across all motor-driven systems. Misapplying such formulas can lead to inflated expectations and ultimately, a loss of trust in energy-saving technologies.

Why Standard VSD Energy Calculations Are Misleading

Several critical factors make generic energy-saving estimations unreliable:

Application Specificity – Energy savings depend on unique system characteristics like load type, duty cycle, and control method.
System Efficiency Variability – Actual performance differs based on motor age, drive configuration, and network harmonics.
Non-Uniform Loads – Many motors run under variable loads, making average-speed-based savings inaccurate.
Startup and Idle Consumption – Drives still draw power during startup or idle phases, reducing net savings.
Modified Installations – Over time, most systems are modified or upgraded, making nameplate data irrelevant without reassessment.

The Sales-Engineering Disconnect

A significant factor contributing to energy saving fatigue is the lack of technical knowledge among sales teams. Many sales representatives promoting VSDs are not engineers and often misunderstand the intricacies of industrial applications. Their focus on hitting sales targets rather than delivering accurate technical assessments causes a disconnect between promised results and real-world performance, placing unnecessary burdens on engineering teams.

The Hidden Costs of Misleading Energy Efficiency Promises

When expectations go unmet, engineers are left with more than disappointment. New motor or VSD installations often come with complex monitoring systems that generate huge volumes of operational data. While marketed as tools for predictive maintenance and energy optimisation, these systems often lack user-friendly insights and require extensive analysis.

In resource-constrained engineering teams, the pressure to manage and interpret this data becomes overwhelming. Instead of driving efficiency, data overload creates additional workload, further reducing productivity and morale.

Why Engineers Are Losing Faith in Energy Efficiency Claims

The decline in adoption of newer, high-efficiency motors and VSDs stems largely from engineer scepticism. Years of overpromising and underdelivering have led professionals to approach new technologies with caution. Sustainability targets and regulatory pressure can force premature decisions, worsening frustration when solutions don’t meet expectations.

Rebuilding Trust Through Data-Driven Transparency

To combat energy saving fatigue, the industry must shift toward evidence-based energy efficiency. Manufacturers and suppliers must deliver:

Accurate, application-specific savings estimates
Transparent documentation and independent validation
Honest discussions about limitations and ROI

Reputable engineering partners should also offer technical support, training, and user-friendly monitoring tools that help engineers extract value without adding complexity.

Quantum Controls’ Solution: The “Try Before You Buy” VSD Trial

At Quantum Controls, we understand the roots of energy saving fatigue. That’s why we offer our “Try Before You Buy” trial — a fully transparent, data-backed solution to verify energy savings before clients commit to purchasing a Variable Speed Drive.

How It Works:

Application Review – We assess your motor systems to identify ideal candidates for energy savings.
Baseline Monitoring – We install temporary monitoring equipment for two weeks to capture real-time energy consumption.
Trial VSD Installation – A temporary VSD is fitted, and energy usage is tracked for another two weeks.
Detailed Analysis – We compare performance data before and after the trial, mapping it to annual savings and carbon reduction.
Fact-Based Reporting – Clients receive a detailed breakdown of energy saved, CO₂ reductions, installation cost, and projected ROI — accurate to the penny.
Informed Decision Making – Based on proven data, clients decide how and where to invest in VSD upgrades.

We’re so confident in our findings that we underwrite the savings we present — no marketing spin, just measurable results.

Moving Forward: Real Efficiency Through Real Engineering

Energy saving fatigue is a symptom of miscommunication, over-simplification, and a lack of transparency. The solution isn’t more aggressive marketing — it’s real engineering, supported by clear data and honest assessments. Engineers deserve tools that truly simplify their work, not add complexity.

At Quantum Controls, we’re committed to rebuilding trust through accurate insights, expert support, and evidence-driven solutions. By aligning innovation with practicality, we help clients achieve genuine energy savings and long-term operational efficiency.