Standby power systems the total cost of ownershipUPS (Uninterruptible Power Sypply) Systems or upgrading existing ones, it's important to consider the total cost of ownership.

If you were to compare the initial capital costs of two UPS systems, you may find that system A is a lot cheaper than system B. On the face of it, system A may seem the better option; however, once you've factored in the costs for ongoing service and maintenance, the picture could change dramatically. It's not enough to simply purchase a UPS system. If you want to ensure it's able to support your equipment in the event of a mains failure, it needs regular servicing you might want to take out a maintenance contract to ensure that you have a planned maintenance schedule. However, the terms of maintenance contracts vary between suppliers. Some will include parts and labour, whereas others will only cover the servicing. Furthermore, you also need to consider the response times as these too can differ greatly between suppliers. To add more confusion into the mix, you should also consider whether you need a three- or five-year maintenance contract. After three years, most UPS systems fall outside of their warranty period so if you’re not planning to buy a new unit after three years, you’ll need to ensure it can be quickly repaired if it were to break down, or develop a fault. Finally there are running costs to consider. Fortunately, the latest UPS systems are very efficient and have high power factors, but with the rising cost of electricity it’s worth comparing the efficiencies of different units and taking that into account as part of your purchasing decision.

Need some help?

Working out the total cost of ownership can be a headache, so we want to lend a helping hand. As the UK’s leading independent provider of standby power systems, we have access to pricing from all of the leading manufacturers. Our independence means that we can help you to compare the real costs of ownership across a manufacturer’s product range or even between different brands. We’ll take into account servicing costs, warranties, running costs and capital costs to ensure that you get the most cost-effective UPS system for your needs. We can quickly provide you with a comparison of different UPS systems. So next time you’re looking to upgrade your system, why not contact us first for an independent, no obligation quote?