Trystan Casey
Scammers have been promoting a device that they claim can cut electricity consumption by 90% and is backed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The product, called Pro Power Save, is said to be able to simply be plugged into an electrical socket to lower utility bills. However, there is no evidence that Musk launched such a device or that it works as claimed. In fact, similar devices have been found to be fire hazards and to increase, rather than decrease, electricity consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the device | Pro Power Save |
| Claims | Can cut electricity consumption by 90% |
| Price | $5 to $50 |
| Celebrity endorsements | Elon Musk, Joanna Gaines |
| Retailers | Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Shein |
| Safety | Potential shock and fire hazards |
| Effectiveness | No evidence of reducing electricity consumption |
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What You'll Learn
The Pro Power Save device
The effectiveness of the Pro Power Save device has been called into question by many sources. Tests have revealed that similar devices do not significantly reduce electricity bills and may even be potential safety hazards due to cheap construction, posing risks of electrocution and electrical fires. The marketing and advertising for the Pro Power Save device have been criticized as misleading, with false information and fraudulent images.
While the concept of active power factor correction employed by the device is legally accepted, it may not be feasible in practice. Additionally, the claimed savings on electricity bills are unlikely to be achieved, as utility charges are not significantly affected by these devices. Overall, while the Pro Power Save device promises significant energy savings, there is little evidence to support its effectiveness, and it may pose safety risks.
It is important for consumers to be cautious when considering purchasing such devices and to verify the claims made by manufacturers. While the idea of drastically reducing energy costs is appealing, it is essential to rely on trusted sources and reviews to make informed decisions.
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False celebrity endorsements
The false endorsement of Elon Musk is a powerful tool for scammers, as Musk is a well-known entrepreneur and the founder of Tesla and SpaceX. By associating the product with Musk, scammers leverage his reputation and expertise in technology and innovation to lend credibility to their false claims. This is a common tactic used by scammers, who often exploit the names and images of celebrities without their consent to promote their fraudulent products.
The "Pro Power Save" device is claimed to drastically reduce electricity bills and protect electronics and people from electric surges and "dirty electricity." However, these claims have been debunked by organizations such as Science Feedback and AFP Fact Check. In reality, the device is a scam with no technical merit. Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, as well as the UK charity Electrical Safety First, have found these devices to be cheaply constructed and potential fire and shock hazards.
It is important for consumers to be vigilant and cautious when encountering celebrity endorsements. Scammers often use sophisticated tactics, including fake news articles, photoshopped images, and false testimonials, to convince unsuspecting individuals of the legitimacy of their products. In the case of the "Elon Musk electricity saver," some individuals have wisely questioned the authenticity of the endorsements, noticing photoshopped images and recognizing the absence of credible sources. It is crucial to verify information through trusted sources and official channels before making any purchases influenced by celebrity endorsements.
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Misleading product information
Several sources have debunked the claim that Elon Musk invented or marketed a device that reduces customers' electrical bills by 90%. Scammers are promoting this device, which they say can cut domestic energy use by 90%, through Facebook posts and online retailers like Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and Shein. The product, known as "Pro Power Save," is said to lower electricity consumption by simply plugging it into an electrical socket. However, there is no evidence that Elon Musk is associated with this product, and the website promoting it contains misleading information.
The product website references supposed reviews "as seen in" third-party publications such as Forbes and Popular Electronics, but these reviews do not exist. In fact, Forbes published its own fact-check article debunking Musk's connection to the device, and Popular Electronics ceased publication over two decades ago. The website also includes a screenshot of a supposed news report from an NBC affiliate in Texas, which traces back to multiple news reports about the death of actor Lew Palter in 2023, rather than a Tesla employee as claimed.
Furthermore, the product itself is a scam. Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, an English local government product safety team, tested similar devices and found that they were cheaply constructed from low-quality parts, posing potential shock and fire hazards. The UK charity Electrical Safety First came to similar conclusions, finding the devices to be poorly manufactured fire hazards. These tests also showed that the devices failed to reduce electrical consumption and, in some cases, even increased it.
The high level of interaction with the Facebook posts promoting the Pro Power Save device, with thousands of shares and likes, and the availability of the product on major online retailers, may give it a veneer of legitimacy. However, consumers should be cautious of celebrity endorsements and always look for reliable evidence and reviews before purchasing such products.
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Potential safety hazards
There are several potential safety hazards associated with the "Elon Musk electricity saver". Firstly, there is no evidence that Elon Musk invented or marketed such a device, and the product is likely a scam. The device is being sold under various names, such as "Pro Power Save", "eSaver Energy Saver", "Miracle Watt", "Watt Saver", and "Powersave", and is available on Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and other online shops for prices ranging from $5 to $50.
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, a local government product safety team in England, tested similar devices and found that they were cheaply constructed from low-quality parts, posing potential shock and fire hazards. The UK charity Electrical Safety First also tested these devices and found them to be poorly manufactured fire hazards. In some cases, the devices increased electrical consumption rather than reducing it.
In April 2022, the UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards issued a recall for a product with the same physical description as the "Elon Musk electricity saver" due to a "serious risk of electric shock" after a London-based nonprofit organization found that the device was "highly dangerous" and prone to sparking during testing. Another British watchdog warned against plug-in energy-saving devices in February 2023, calling them "misleading" and saying they "exploit" customers with high electricity bills.
Furthermore, the marketing and advertising for the "Elon Musk electricity saver" have been found to be misleading and filled with unreliable information. The product website references supposed reviews from third-party publications that do not exist, and the images and stories used to promote the product have been doctored or fabricated.
Overall, while the "Elon Musk electricity saver" is advertised as a way to save money on electricity bills, it poses several potential safety hazards, including fire and shock risks, and may not even reduce electrical consumption as claimed.
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Similar scam devices
The Voltex Power Saver, for example, is a plug-in gadget offered for sale online that promises to cut energy costs by at least half. However, reviews on Trustpilot complain that the device did little to lower expenses, and the company has undergone multiple name changes, raising suspicions.
Another scam device is the "Elon Musk Electricity Saver," which is also known as "StopWatt" on Amazon. It is advertised as a way to "release electricity which it stored by using a system of capacitors in a smoother way to normal without the spikes when it works under the rated load." However, this device is also a scam, and the advertisements are designed to trick people into buying a useless product.
It's important to be cautious of such energy-saving device scams, as they often rely on a grain of truth to make them seem believable. They are often found on mainstream online marketplaces and retailers, and their marketing makes them seem technologically sound. However, verified purchaser reviews often reveal that the devices are scams, and the companies selling them may change their names to avoid backlash.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Elon Musk electricity saver is not legit. There is no evidence that Elon Musk launched a device to lower domestic electricity consumption. The Pro Power Save device is a scam, and similar devices have been found to be fire hazards.
The Elon Musk electricity saver is a device that supposedly cuts a home's electricity consumption and thus lowers utility bills simply by plugging it into an electrical socket.
The device supposedly stops unnecessary power from entering the electrical cables in your home and lowers your consumption instantly. However, there is no evidence that it works as claimed.
The device is available for sale on Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and Shein, among other online retailers. However, it is important to note that this device is a scam and should not be purchased.
