2006-12-01 00:22:50 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Economics
No, some power items would consume more electricity, as well as all the power cables in the houses having slightly higher losses, due to higher losses in the same size cables at lower voltages.
The argument is that it is safer, rather than cheaper.
2006-12-01 00:35:01 · answer #1 · answered by Trevor P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would not because the electricity is charged by the Kilowatt which is a function of the voltage x current = Kw
If you have a 2 Kw fire it will take 2 Kw from the supply what ever the voltage. The difference with 110v is the amount of current taken.
2Kw on 240v will take 8.3 amps.
2Kw on 110v will take 18.2 amps
This would put up the cost of the installation as the wiring would need to have a greater cross sectional area to cope with the increased current. 110v would be safe as you cannot get a shock from it.
2006-12-01 00:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In terms of kWh or 'units of electricity', the answer is No, since you would simply draw more currrent from the mains supply in order to feed the load.
For example, a 1kW electric fire on 110V AC, produces the same heat output as a 1kW electric fire on 240V AC, but it draws more current. We could also consider other disadvantages of using 110V, but that would require a deeper knowledge of AC transmission and distribution.
2006-12-01 00:36:53 · answer #3 · answered by avian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
240V uses less amperes so it is yes more more energy efficient in some respects. Even in the USA most HVAC(air conditioning, heating systems) systems in homes use 208v power for its efficiency. In commercial office buildings in the states we use 277/480v power for general lighting circuits and HVAC equipment. However, 240v or 480v systems are much more dangerous than 120v systems. I would not like to use a 240v electric shaver. So it is a trade off safety for efficiency and cost savings.
2006-12-01 00:42:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes -- volts have been getting very expensive in the international volt markets. Some people think volts are being hunted to extinction. If you used half as many volts then the UK could substantially reduce volt imports and conserve this precious natural resource.
2006-12-01 03:12:44 · answer #5 · answered by KevinStud99 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if we tunnelled under the Atlantic and stole some 110v from Anguilla, Barbados, Cuba or Haiti in which case the savings would be considerable.
Oddly if we stole from our US cousins, because their standard is actually 120v, the potential difference would be less.
2006-12-01 10:47:17 · answer #6 · answered by Nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they would probably be more expensive, because the transmission lines would need to be heavier to carry the extra current.
2006-12-01 00:30:44 · answer #7 · answered by Dave T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋