What Are Business Energy Monitors?

Energy monitors function by installing a sensor onto your business electricity meter, which tracks your usage by measuring the electrical current passing through it.

This sensor comes with a transmitter that wirelessly sends the data to your display monitor, which shows metrics like costs, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions.

The installation of a business energy monitor offers many advantages, ranging from cost savings to a reduction in carbon emissions for your company. An energy monitoring system enables the following:

1. Enhanced understanding of your energy usage.
2. Tracking and management of greenhouse gas emissions generated by your business.
3. Save money by minimizing energy consumption in relevant areas.
4. Detection of irregular energy consumption patterns across your business facilities.

At first glance, energy monitors and smart meters may seem quite similar since both are energy monitoring systems designed to help you keep track of your own gas and electricity, consumption.

However, the significant distinction lies in the added functionality of smart meters. They can automatically transmit meter readings directly to your energy supplier, ensuring accurate billing without the need for you to manually provide meter readings regularly.

As a result, if you already have a smart meter installed, obtaining an additional energy monitor may be redundant, as smart electricity meters should provide comprehensive usage information. It’s worth noting that certain smart meters may become non-functional if you switch energy supplier, whereas a business energy monitor will remain operational regardless of how frequently you switch providers.

Typically, businesses that already have a smart meter installed would opt for a compatible energy monitor rather than installing a separate one. Usually, smart meters are installed in a concealed location, transmitting usage data to your energy supplier, which can make it easy to overlook monitoring your business’s energy consumption.

With a dedicated business energy monitor in place, you can gain a comprehensive view of your energy consumption. If you suspect excessive energy consumption, you have the option to set consumption thresholds that will alert you when they are exceeded.

For multi-site businesses, it’s considered best practice to install smart meters that monitor the energy consumption of each property separately to identify and address any unusual patterns.

These energy monitors often come with diverse software tools that enable you to monitor, analyze, and address energy-related issues. In addition to tracking costs and usage, these monitors also provide insights into your carbon emissions, a critical aspect of helping businesses manage and reduce their environmental impact.

Smart meters are the most readily accessible alternative to energy monitors. However, if your business operates with high electricity demand and employs a 00-profile class meter or a half-hourly meter, you have the option to acquire energy management software.

This software allows you to delve into information at a much deeper level, revealing usage, supply patterns and costs in finer detail.

It’s worth noting that this software is exclusively compatible with specific types of smart meter installations: commercial energy meters. To put it into perspective, only approximately 120,000 businesses in the UK utilize 00 meters.

Additionally, these software systems can be somewhat complex to operate, often requiring advanced training for employees to maximize their utility.

On the positive side, once you and your team become proficient with the technology, you should have the capacity to track consumption trends over specific time intervals and even conduct in-depth analyses of the performance of individual appliances and machinery.

Monitoring your business’s energy consumption offers the advantage of identifying areas where you can implement changes to reduce usage, and energy bills and generate cost savings. Here’s a brief overview of strategies to help you achieve energy efficiency and financial benefits:

1. Install Timers: Implement timer systems to control when and how long electrical equipment operates, reducing unnecessary energy consumption during non-operational hours.
2. Energy Audits: Conduct an energy audit to assess your energy consumption patterns and identify opportunities for optimization. These audits provide valuable insights into potential efficiency improvements.
3. Renewable Energy: Transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to decrease your reliance on conventional fossil fuels and reduce your carbon footprint.
4. Hot Water Conservation: Implement measures to reduce hot water consumption, such as using low-flow fixtures and ensuring proper insulation of water heaters.
5. Heat Pumps: Utilize commercial heat pumps for heating and cooling needs, as they are more energy-efficient compared to traditional HVAC systems.
6. LED Lighting: Replace traditional lighting with energy-efficient LED lightbulbs, which consume less electricity and have a longer lifespan.
7. Employee Education: Educate your staff on energy-saving practices, encouraging them to take responsibility for energy conservation in the workplace.
8. Compare Business Energy Prices: Periodically compare business energy prices to ensure you are getting the best deal from energy suppliers.
9. Compare Business Gas Prices: Similarly, evaluate and compare business gas prices to identify cost-saving opportunities in your gas consumption.
10. Compare Business Electricity Prices: Regularly assess and compare business electricity prices to optimize your electricity expenses.

For more comprehensive guidance on reducing your business’s energy consumption, consult our complete guide.

Additionally, if you’re contemplating whether to fix your business energy prices in 2024, refer to our guide to find out everything you need to know.

Get in touch with our energy experts to find out more about business energy monitors and start your business energy comparison today.