Low power factor.

Power factor falls below the tariff penalty threshold where the utility bills it — a reactive-power surcharge on the invoice.

01 Detail

Trigger, action plan, and escalation criteria.

optimization_metric energy medium optimized tier AI: hybrid

Related metric: power_factor
Trigger: pf < tariff_penalty_threshold AND tariff bills pf
Value drivers: Energy savings
Preconditions: PF telemetry at the service; the tariff's PF clause (if any).
Human role: Quantifies the penalty and scopes correction; suppresses recommendations where no clause applies.
Action plan: (1) Confirm demand-coincident or monthly-average PF below the penalty threshold (e.g. <0.90) AND that the tariff actually bills it. (2) Quantify the $ penalty from the bill; if material and persistent, quote fixed/automatic PF-correction capacitors sized to the reactive load, verified against payback. (3) If there is no PF clause on the rate → informational watch only; suppress correction recommendations to avoid false savings claims.
Escalation: (1) kVAR rising / PF trending down at stable load → inspect for a failing or lightly-loaded motor, or a failed existing capacitor.
Prevention: (1) PF correction sized at design where the tariff penalizes; periodic capacitor health check.