Sub-meters are used for monitoring and managing the consumption of energy (electricity, gas,water, cooling and heating). They are an integral part of Net-Zero and other green buildings that have surged in popularity over the last ten years.
Why does being green matter?
Green buildings are sustainable buildings. The concept of sustainability expands on the green concept of recycling, reusing, and reducing. Going green means lowering utility costs and reducing the negative impact on the community and surrounding environment to make it healthier and more sustainable.
Key performance indicators are essential for every energy conservation measure (ECM) taken. Having the right tools to collect metrics is necessary before implementing ECMs. Every property owner has a corporate responsibility - they need to know how the energy is being used in their properties, how much this energy consumption contributes to a larger carbon footprint and how by modifying those consumption patterns he/she can benefit the environment. Sub-metering, allows them to see where, when and how energy is consumed and find areas where changes can reduce consumption, ways to tackle the inefficiencies or times when certain loads should not be used and are better when transferred to other times when the consumption would cost less.
Additionally, when it comes to energy efficiency, the contribution of buildings is judged according to water, electricity, and gas consumption. Ultimately, with an automated tenant billing system, property owners can also use their sub-meter data to calculate accurate tenant invoices. This encourages a more responsible consumption behavior among the tenants, as they are made aware they will be accountable for the energy they use.
Going Green with Sub-Meters
The increased focus on building “green” is why building owners and lawmakers are turning to sub-metering. It allows property management to track and bill residents according to each unit’s utility consumption. They are also quite useful when it comes to improving water conservation.
Accurately measure and control energy use
Benefits include:
- Reduced utility bills
- Better operational costs
- Increased property value
- Reduced Carbon footprint
- Enhanced quality of life
- Protection of the environment
Deploying Sub-Metering Systems in Green Properties
Conscious tenants understand the benefits and insist on sub-metering, simply because it puts them in control of their expenses and are a fair way to distribute utility costs. Sub-metering regulations have already been implemented in many states in the United States and provinces in Canada. Thanks to the advancements in wireless technology, sub-metering systems now can be deployed more efficiently in existing residential multifamily buildings and commercial properties where retrofit costs may it unaffordable. It has already proven that sub-metering drives energy-consumption behaviors that lead to more efficient energy usage.
Utility sub-metering systems are a part of a LEED or Green strategy. They can be used to manage utility consumption in any type of building. When data collected by sub-meters is readily available to all stakeholders, such as tenants, building owners, building managers, operators, accounting, and authorized LEED consultants, the result is a better and more effective utility management.
Sub-meters can complement the implementation and earn points in the LEED system - a widely used green building rating system that provides a framework for creating healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. The energy savings achieved by sub-meters more than compensate for their initial cost.
