Many companies want to reduce energy usage, but they feel that the capital costs are too high to change equipment to become more energy efficient.

However, there is a cost effective solution for companies that has an excellent ROI and does not involve changing equipment.

The solution I am talking about is "energy monitoring software". This system will monitor energy usage on multiple loads in a store or building and will tell you exactly where your energy usage is increasing.

Energy monitoring is like an accounting system for your energy bills. Usually companies get an energy bill and all they see is the total amount of energy consumed and their electricity rate.

They do not know where the energy is being used or if something can be done to reduce energy costs.

How an energy monitoring system can be useful:

1. Identify and explain increase or decrease in energy use

2. Draw energy consumption trends (weekly, seasonal, operational…)

3. Determine future energy use when planning changes in the business

4. Diagnose specific areas of wasted energy

5. Observe how the business reacted to changes in the past

6. Develop performance targets for energy management programs

7. Manage their energy consumption, rather than accept it as a fixed cost that they have no control over.

Many companies that have used energy monitoring systems have found an average of $3,000 per month in energy savings.

How is this possible?

First of all, the energy monitoring system uses CT’s (current transformers) to measures the phases on 17 loads. It measures energy usage on lighting, HVAC, freezers, bakery ovens, heaters in the front entrance, offices etc.

Once an abnormally high load is identified, simple tweaking of the Building Control System will ensure that heaters do not come on at night, or that the lights are shut off at the right times.

Also, management at the store will be more energy efficient, since they know there is an external system monitoring their progress.

There are few companies that can provide this type of sophisticated energy monitoring system.

Our company EG Energy Controls, have installed many energy monitoring and energy management systems for their clients and these customers have seen huge energy reductions.

So, as you can see, being energy efficient does not mean you need to rip out all your equipment and start new to spend a lot of money.