Course: GFM 102 Technical Aspects of Energy, Resources & Conservation

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Analyzing Consumption Trends: On Site Metering Using Data Loggers and End-Use Metering

Analyzing energy bills is just not enough. Many managers want to be in lead of their energy consumption (versus behind it through billing cycles that are 1-3 months later).  There may be the potential, depending on your energy provider, that daily meter reads are possible. You can actually see what is synchronously occurring throughout the day.  Most of us want to look at specific end use such as lighting, heating, A-C, or hot water generation. The advent of data loggers has made this a relatively easy operation.

Analyzing End-use Energy Data has to be broken out into base loads (year-long), and seasonal (intermittent) loads. Charts and graphs can usually reflect these differing situations. Such breakout helps identify those systems which are most energy-intensive so steps can be taken to reduce energy consumption.  Today’s smart buildings are equipped with a variety of sensors, sub-meters, and software applications to assist with energy monitor and control systems (MACS).Over the last 30 years MACS has grown from a fledgling idea into full operational need.

Click here to access the Wikipedia page Data Loggers.
Click here to access the Whole Building Design Guide - Energy Analysis.
Click here to access the Smart Energy Groups website.
Click here to access the Google Images website page on Data Loggers.