Introducing Energy Monitors: Maximize Savings and Efficiency in Your Buildings
Are you looking to save money on energy costs? Look no further! In this crash course, we will explain what energy monitors are and how they can be installed in your buildings to help you achieve significant energy savings.
Taking Control of Your Energy Use
If you're unsure about how many energy monitors you need, where to install them, and what you can do with the data they provide, you're not alone. This is a common starting point for many people.
Energy monitors can be installed on anything from meters to appliances. The optimal installation location depends on the size of your building and the complexity of daily activities. For example, in schools, hotels, and hostels, we typically install monitors at the switchboard to provide a comprehensive overview of energy usage. This allows you to identify which equipment consumes the most electricity and when.
If you have a simple building, you might be able to obtain valuable insights directly from a modern gas and electricity meter. However, for buildings with high-power equipment like commercial kitchens, it becomes challenging to determine the cause of energy spikes and measure the effectiveness of any changes. In these cases, monitoring specific circuits for appliances like extractors, ovens, dishwashers, and coffee machines is essential.
Don't worry, we can provide you with a rough estimate of the number of monitors you'll need. Afterward, we'll conduct a site survey to finalise the options and provide you with a detailed proposal.
The Key Components for Effective Energy Monitoring
While you may already have electricity and gas meters, relying solely on monthly readings means missing out on vital details and actionable data. To truly optimize your energy usage, you need to understand what's happening and why. This information should be delivered automatically and in real-time to ensure that changes are made promptly.
To enable automatic metering, several key components are necessary:
1. Gateway: Connects to the cloud, enabling access to data.
2. Power box: Powers the equipment and measures voltage.
3. Current Transformer Clip (CT Clip): Clamps over live cables to measure current.
Once you have voltage and current readings, you can calculate power (kW) by multiplying them together. Multiplying power by the number of hours gives you energy consumption (kWh).
Installation and Monitoring Made Easy
The installation process is straightforward and can be carried out by any electrician. We will be onsite during installation to handle any last-minute adjustments. We can also work with your preferred electrician or provide our own to ensure a smooth installation.
When do the savings start?
After the installation is complete, you can instantly access live energy consumption data through our app. We'll configure the sensors in our system, allowing you to view trends, apply filters, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs). While it takes about 5 weeks for the trends to be calculated automatically, we can start working immediately to identify your biggest energy consumers, uncover wasteful practices during off-hours, and make initial recommendations.
Once we have at least one month of data, we'll schedule an energy call to discuss easy wins and priorities. This stage may take a few months, depending on the complexity of your installation, and will be continuously monitored, especially during upgrades or with the introduction of new staff members.
Through these actions and discussions, you'll quickly identify underperforming or overconsuming equipment. This will inform the allocation of capital expenditure or renovation budgets, ensuring your building runs as efficiently as possible.
Reviewing Renewable Options for Maximum Return on Investment
Once your building is operating optimally, it's time to explore renewable energy options with the best return on investment. We can help you assess which renewables would be most beneficial for your specific needs.
Ready to maximize your energy savings and efficiency?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you take control of your energy costs and pave the way to a greener future.