Power factor is often discussed in industrial settings, but it is becoming increasingly relevant in UK homes due to modern electrical appliances and electronics.

Understanding power factor helps explain why some appliances consume more electricity than expected and how this affects overall electrical efficiency.

What Is Power Factor?

Power factor is the ratio of useful power (used to perform work) to the total power drawn from the supply.

It ranges from 0 to 1:

• A power factor close to 1 means efficient electricity usage
• A low power factor indicates wasted electrical energy

Why Power Factor Matters in UK Homes

Many modern appliances use motors, compressors, or switched-mode power supplies. These create reactive power, lowering the power factor.

Common appliances with low power factor include:

• Refrigerators
• Washing machines
• Air conditioners
• LED drivers
• Phone and laptop chargers

While UK households are not billed directly for power factor, low power factor increases current flow, leading to:

• Higher heat losses
• Reduced cable efficiency
• Greater strain on the electrical system

Technical Impact on Home Wiring

A low power factor means more current is required to deliver the same amount of useful power. Over time, this can contribute to:

• Cable heating
• Increased voltage drop
• Reduced appliance efficiency

In homes with multiple high-load devices, this effect becomes more noticeable.

How Modern Appliances Address Power Factor

Many newer appliances include power factor correction (PFC) circuits. These improve efficiency by aligning current and voltage more closely.

UK regulations increasingly encourage better power factor performance in domestic electronics.

Power Factor and Renewable Integration

Homes with solar PV, battery storage, or EV chargers benefit from appliances with good power factor. Better power quality improves inverter performance and reduces unnecessary losses.

Should UK Homeowners Be Concerned?

While power factor is not something most households need to actively manage, choosing quality appliances and maintaining good wiring practices helps reduce inefficiencies.

Looking Ahead

As UK homes become more electrically intensive, power factor awareness will play a greater role in appliance design and electrical planning.