Discover the world of submetering and how it can revolutionize energy management. Dive into the benefits, commissioning, programming, certification, and maintenance of meters.

Introduction to Submetering

Learn what submetering is and how it enables detailed tracking and allocation of energy consumption in multi-unit buildings. Enhance energy efficiency and reduce costs. Submetering involves adding utility-grade submeters onto a building or facility. This allows businesses to create data-driven solutions, bill their tenants properly, and drive energy conservation.

Benefits of Submetering

Transparent Billing

Accurately measure and bill tenants for individual energy usage, promoting fairness and reducing disputes. Submetering can also allow property managers and owners to automate their billing processes, saving time and expenses.

Energy Conservation

Empower occupants to monitor and reduce energy consumption, fostering sustainability and conservation. By submetering a facility you are able to make it IoT ready and connect to your utility data in 15-minute intervals. This allows you to make data-driven decisions, detect leaks, and find ways to reduce operational costs.

Identifying Inefficiencies

Analyze usage patterns and identify areas for improvement, optimizing overall energy performance. Through seeing your data in real-time, and getting utility data on a more granular level, owners and decision makers are able to identify inefficiencies in their workflows.

Commissioning Meters

Installation Evaluation

Thoroughly inspect and validate the proper installation and functionality of submeters.

Key components of an installation evaluation typically include:

1. Physical Inspection A thorough examination of the submeter and its components to check for any visible defects, damage, or irregularities in the installation.
2. Wiring and Connections: Verification of the proper electrical and data connections, ensuring that the submeter is receiving and transmitting data accurately.
3. Calibration: Calibrating the submeter to ensure it is providing accurate measurements, usually by comparing its readings to a reference standard or established baseline.
4. Data Communication: Testing the data communication channels to confirm that data is being transmitted to the central monitoring system without interruption.
5. Accuracy Check: Evaluating the submeter’s accuracy by comparing its readings with the utility’s primary meter or other known standards to identify and rectify any discrepancies.
6. Functionality Testing: Testing the various functions and features of the submeter, such as remote monitoring, data storage, and reporting capabilities.
7. Sealing and Security: Ensuring that the submeter’s seals and security measures are intact, preventing tampering or unauthorized access.
8. Documentation Review: Reviewing installation documentation, including schematics, manuals, and wiring diagrams, to confirm that the installation adheres to the manufacturer’s guidelines and industry standards.
9. User Training: If necessary, providing training to the end-users or building personnel on how to use and interpret the data from the submeter.

Testing and Calibration

Ensure accurate measurement by calibrating submeters and verifying their adherence to industry standards.

Data Verification

Validate the accuracy of submeter readings against utility bills to ensure reliability.

Programming Meters

1. Configuration: Determining the specific parameters and settings for the submeters, including the type of utility being measured (e.g., electricity, water, gas), billing rates, measurement units, and data logging intervals. These configurations can vary based on the unique requirements of the facility.
2. Data Collection Setup: Setting up the submeters to collect data on energy or utility usage. This involves configuring the submeters to measure essential parameters, such as voltage, current, and power factor, depending on the utility being monitored.
3. Data Communication: Establishing how data collected by the submeters is transmitted to a central monitoring system or data repository. This includes configuring data transmission protocols, ensuring connectivity, and implementing data encryption for security.
4. Accuracy Calibration: Calibrating the submeters to ensure their measurements are precise and align with established standards. This may involve periodic adjustments to maintain accuracy over time.
5. Data Integration: Integrating the submeters with the building’s management system or energy monitoring software to enable real-time data transfer and compatibility with the facility’s existing infrastructure.
6. Alarming and Thresholds: Setting up alarms and threshold levels within the submeters to trigger notifications or actions when energy consumption reaches specific limits. This helps in proactively managing energy usage and addressing issues promptly.
7. User Interface Configuration: Customizing the user interface of the submeters or configuration software to make it user-friendly for operators and facility personnel. This interface allows users to access and modify settings, view real-time data, and generate reports.
8. Security and Access Control: Implementing security measures to safeguard the programming and configuration settings from unauthorized access or tampering.

Certifying Meters

Accuracy Verification

Engage independent auditors to ensure submeters comply with accuracy standards and regulations.

Sealing and Labeling

Seal and label submeters to provide visual verification and prevent tampering or unauthorized access.

Certification Documentation

Issue certificates that authenticate compliance and accuracy, providing peace of mind for stakeholders.

Certifying Meters

Accuracy Verification

Engage independent auditors to ensure submeters comply with accuracy standards and regulations.

Sealing and Labeling

Seal and label submeters to provide visual verification and prevent tampering or unauthorized access.

Certification Documentation

Issue certificates that authenticate compliance and accuracy, providing peace of mind for stakeholders.

Meter Maintenance

Discover the importance of regular maintenance to ensure optimal functionality and accuracy of submeters throughout their lifespan. Avoid costly disruptions and maximize benefits.

Where does VITALITY fit in?

VITALITY has over 75-years of submetering experience under our belts. We cover every step of the way that you may need when performing a submetering project. These steps include:

Full Project Design

VITALITY can provide a full project design for any submetering project you may encounter. This can be a design, procurement of equipment and installation of the system. Whatever it is, we have you covered.

Professional Services

Installation, programming, commissioning and certifying. All services mentioned in this blog are provided by VITALITY. Need help? Let’s get on site and figure it out!

Meter Maintenance

With a short life cycle of submeters, it is increasingly important to stay ahead on your meter maintenance. VITALITY provides a suite of meter maintenance plans, which allow us to be on site and ensuring all meters are working properly all of the time.

Software

the VITALITY software is an energy/utility management system that allows you to get real-time data from your submeters. This can help us to know when meters have downtime and when they aren’t reporting properly. It also allows our clients to get ahead on energy conservation and management.