Energy is one of the largest controllable expenses in building operations. Today, efficiency and sustainability are top priorities, and the way organizations collect, analyze, and act on energy data can make the difference between reacting to problems or preventing them in real time.

If you rely only on monthly bills or historical data, you’re always a step behind. By the time an issue shows up on your invoice, weeks may have passed, along with unnecessary costs and wasted energy. 

The opportunity lies in detailed real-time energy data. By capturing and analyzing consumption as it happens, and where it happens, organizations can proactively address inefficiencies, reduce costs, improve tenant comfort, and plan strategically for the future.

FROM HISTORICAL DATA TO REAL-TIME INSIGHTS

Historical billing data provides limited insight. For example, if a building’s HVAC system is overworking due to a faulty sensor, costs are only visible on the next bill. With real-time monitoring, facility managers can observe trends in the equipment performance at any time, detect anomalies, and act before budgets or occupant comfort are impacted.

Real-time insights also allow managers to measure the effectiveness of energy conservation measures, justify investments, and set measurable long-term goals. This is why Energy Information Systems (EIS) are essential for modern energy management.

ENERGY INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THE I-METER® ENERGY ANALYSIS SOFTWARE

An Energy Information System (EIS)  combines software, hardware, and communication tools to collect, analyze, and deliver energy data in real-time, effectively enabling continuous building commissioning. At Intellimeter, we provide this capability through our i-meter® Energy Analysis software, which empowers facility managers to:

• Collect and analyze energy consumption in real time.
• Establish baselines and compare actual usage against expected performance.
• Configure alerts for abnormal consumption patterns.
• Access portfolio-wide dashboards with drill-down to building, tenant, or submeter level.

This holistic view helps optimize building performance, validate energy-saving initiatives, and ensure alignment with sustainability goals.

THE ROLE OF SUBMETERING

Not all buildings—or tenants—consume energy the same way. Submetering is a best practice, especially in mixed-use or multi-tenant properties.

Installing submeters at the tenant, floor, or equipment level gives a precise view of consumption. Intellimeter supports owners and managers by submetering of electricity, water, gas, and thermal energy, providing a complete picture of resource use.

Key benefits include:

• Fair cost allocation: Tenants are billed based on actual consumption, promoting conservation.
• Transparency: Occupants can monitor usage and adopt sustainable behaviors.
• Detailed diagnostics: Facility teams can identify which systems or spaces drive inefficiencies.

Take a mixed-use property as an example:

• A data center tenant consumes large amounts of electricity.
• A restaurant tenant uses more water and gas.
• Office tenants primarily rely on HVAC.

Without submeters, all these costs are lumped together, creating inefficiency and disputes. With Intellimeter, each tenant is accountable for their actual usage, encouraging conservation and fairness while providing property managers with the clarity they need.

EMPOWERING HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS AND PROPERTY DEVELOPERS

Pulse-enabled smart meters send a signal every time a set amount of energy is consumed. These signals feed into the i-meter® system, where they’re logged, analyzed, and compared to baselines.

This approach allows managers to validate utility bills, track efficiency projects in real time, and spot anomalies immediately, avoiding month-end surprises.

APPLICATIONS ACROSS PROPERTY TYPES

• Industrial: Assign energy costs to production lines or areas in real time, optimizing manufacturing efficiency.
• Institutional & Government: From hospitals to universities, submeters provide the granular data needed for budgeting and energy reporting.
• Residential & Multi-Unit: Enable accurate tenant billing, promote conservation, and support energy-efficient retrofits.
• Commercial: Shopping malls, office towers, and airports benefit from precise allocation of utility costs and integration with building automation systems.

SUBMETERING MEETS EV CHARGING

The rapid adoption of electric vehicles is transforming the way buildings consume energy. Parking lots that once only needed lighting now host dozens of charging stations, each represents a significant load.

Without submetering, this creates challenges: Who pays for the electricity? How do you manage demand spikes when everyone plugs in after work?

Intellimeter integrates EV charging with Demand Management, allowing EV charging as part of the overall load. Submeters capture detailed usage data for each station or group, enabling building owners to:

• Allocate charging costs fairly to tenants or drivers.
• Identify peak usage times and manage demand accordingly.
• Encourage sustainable transportation without sacrificing efficiency.

For example, in a residential complex, EV ports connected to Intellimeter’s EVCMC system allow the property manager to bill residents for their exact charging energy consumed, while also tracking the overall load impact on the building’s grid connection. Eliminating the need to upgrade the main electrical service and avoiding demand charges. 

TURNING DATA INTO LONG-TERM STRATEGY

Beyond immediate savings, real-time data provides a foundation for long-term strategic planning. Portfolio-wide reporting and benchmarking help decision-makers:

• Track the long-term performance of efficiency initiatives.
• Calculate payback periods and justify future projects.
• Identify emerging trends in consumption that could impact costs or compliance.
• Support green financing opportunities and meet regulatory requirements.

With Intellimeter’s metering systems, organizations not only cut costs today but also position themselves for future resilience and sustainability.

ENGAGING OCCUPANTS AND BUILDING LONG-TERM STRATEGY

Energy efficiency works best when occupants are part of the solution. Intellimeter makes it easy to share consumption data via reports, dashboards, or displays, encouraging behavioral change. Trend analysis also helps justify new efficiency projects and demonstrate progress toward ESG and sustainability goals.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT eis PARTNER

Selecting the right Energy Information System provider is critical. The solution must integrate seamlessly across building systems, scale with your portfolio, and provide intuitive tools for both technical staff and management teams.

At Intellimeter, we bring decades of expertise in metering and energy management, offering:

• A complete submetering portfolio for electricity, water, gas, and thermal energy.
• The i-meter® Energy Analysis software for real-time monitoring and reporting.
• Scalable platform suitable for single properties or large multi-site portfolios.
• A commitment to ongoing innovation and customer support.

CONCLUSION: PARTNERING WITH INTELLIMETER

Utilities are no longer just an operating expense to be managed—they are a strategic opportunity. By leveraging real-time data through Intellimeter’s submetering systems and i-meter® Energy Analysis software, property managers and owners can reduce costs, improve tenant satisfaction, and achieve long-term sustainability goals.

The future of energy management is real-time, and Intellimeter is here to help you lead the way. Contact us today to transform your portfolio with actionable energy data.