Commercial Buildings Energy Management

Commercial Buildings Energy Management and Energy Metering for Commercial Buildings will become more prominent due to the introduction of the EPC for commercial premises in England & Wales. Asset owners are familiar with energy meters which are used for billing purposes, these meters monitor the overall consumption of energy fuels, gas, electricity and water, however, many property management companies, commercial property lettings agents, owners, public buildings owners are unaware of the need for sub-metering of the fuels used.

Sub-metering of fuels is well established in Part L of the Building Regulations, this requires installation of sub-metering for new non-domestic buildings (commercial property) and in some cases, for refurbishment of existing buildings. Employing energy sub-metering is the route to good energy management of the property, energy metering in a building should be included in the building log book. Inspection of such a log book will be required by an Energy Assessor.

Effective metering of the fuels used in commercial buildings whether mains gas, electric or water usage underlines the need for effective energy monitoring and is an essential part of energy management.

Energy managers of buildings need to ensure that the information they get from their meters is reliable and accurate, this can enhance the operational ratings of a building, particularly for public buildings.

Good energy management is good for business, lowering costs, and operating overheads thus reducing CO2 emissions. Most commercial premises have meters for billing purposes. These measure the total input of the specific fuel to the property, however, a regular meter reading will only provide information about the total energy consumption of a property, this provides no information about wastage and any energy problems that exist. By installing sub-metering technology to all services within the building to monitor the specific uses of each fuel being used in the premises can assist in identifying which end-user or service is performing well, or poorly, throughout the building services allowing more targeted action.

Such installed services include lighting circuits, fans, air conditioning systems, humidifiers, chillers, and pumps.

Facilities managers should consider their existing buildings to provide effective energy management, and upscale maintenance programmes to upgrade or repair plant and equipment that is causing energy wastage. Sub metering can target energy wastage and improve building management.

Sub-metering provides the necessary measurements to locate energy problems and where and when fuel is being wasted. Building designers need to deliver good practice and should incorporate sub-metering in non-domestic property to improve operational ratings for asset owners and occupiers to enable effective commercial buildings energy management.

Energy savings can be significant by employing energy management systems, and as such may prove more appealing to potential occupiers considering a property lease or purchase if these buildings offer good energy ratings as set out in the EPBD.