Is Your Plug-In Power Saver Actually Doing Anything? Here's the Real Deal
Back in 2012, a Georgia homeowner bought a device called the Energy Crusher for $329, hoping to lower their electric bill. Over a decade later, they’re still waiting to see results, and wondering if they fell for a clever sales pitch.
So, does this kind of device really work, or are consumers being misled? Let's unpack how these products are supposed to function, and what experts say about whether they actually live up to the hype.
What Is the Energy Crusher Supposed to Do?
The Energy Crusher, was a device developed and sold by a company called Green Revolution. The device promised some bold benefits. Just by plugging it into a standard outlet, the Energy Crusher was said to reduce your power bill by 15% by absorbing energy surges and optimizing electrical flow to appliances. It claimed to cut energy consumption by 8% and protect large household devices like refrigerators and HVAC units from voltage spikes.
Sounds impressive, right? But independent reviews are virtually nonexistent, and the company – “Green Revolution” – is nowhere to be found. Today, the Energy Crusher is being sold by another company, CanadaConnexions, and touting the same benefits with the same lack of evidence and reviews.
In fact, the Alabama Electric Cooperative (a source with no financial dog in the fight) has gone on record saying there is “nothing you can plug in” that will measurably reduce your overall energy usage or lower your bill. That’s a pretty strong counterpunch to the Energy Crusher’s claims.
The Bigger Problem with Plug-In Energy Saver Devices
Devices like the Energy Crusher fall into a murky category of consumer electronics that promise more than they deliver. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) actually issued a decree in 1979 that specifically addresses devices that claim to lower energy bills:
“It is an unfair or deceptive act or practice to represent directly or by implication expected energy savings or reductions in fuel bill prices when consumers will not ordinarily realize such savings or reductions.”
--“Notice of Penalty Offenses Concerning Energy Saving Claims” (1979), available here.
The underlying pitch is appealing: you spend a couple hundred dollars once and enjoy years of lower bills. But the reality is that residential electricity use is determined by how many devices you run, for how long, and how energy-efficient they are. You have never been charged by the shape or flow of the current coming through your outlets.
In short, you can't trick your electric meter.
Some devices may technically reduce something called reactive power, which is not even metered by most utility companies. That means any supposed improvements to power usage wouldn’t reflect in your bill, and are probably irrelevant for a typical household anyway.
How Can Consumers Actually Lower Their Energy Bills?
If you're looking to trim your electric bill without falling for marketing gimmicks, there are proven ways to do it. Just not the plug-it-in-and-forget-it variety. Here are a few grounded strategies that energy experts actually recommend:
- Upgrade to ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, especially for HVAC, refrigerators, and water heaters.
- Install a programmable thermostat to better regulate heating and cooling cycles.
- Seal and insulate your home to reduce heating and cooling loss.
- Replace old incandescent bulbs with LED lighting.
- Use power strips to eliminate phantom power draw from idle electronics.
Georgia Power, for instance, offers online energy audits and efficiency rebates that can help homeowners make smarter choices and save money in the long run.
What Should You Do If You Already Bought One?
If you've already purchased a device like the Energy Crusher and feel it hasn’t delivered… well, it probably hasn’t. Many consumers find themselves in this position years later, wondering if they can get a refund or if it’s simply a sunk cost.
While the window for a return or refund has likely closed for most older purchases, the experience still offers a valuable takeaway: skepticism is a powerful consumer tool. If something claims to slash your bills dramatically without changing your behavior or equipment, it's worth digging deeper before opening your wallet.
A Final Thought: What’s Plugged In Matters Less Than What You Plug In
The desire to save money on utilities is universal and understandable, especially as summer bills spike across Georgia. But chasing savings through shortcut gadgets can leave you more frustrated than fulfilled.
So ask yourself this: is it more realistic to rely on a $300 plug-in device, or to invest that money into home improvements that actually move the needle? The writing’s on the wall now. When it comes to energy savings, what you do matters more than what you plug into the wall.