Building Energy Metering is Only Part of the Answer*

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) (Public Law 109-58) is a comprehensive national energy bill addressing a wide range of energy topics. Section 103, Energy Use Management and Accountability, specifically addresses the requirements for metering of Federal buildings “for the purposes of efficient use of energy and reduction in the cost of electricity used in such buildings.” This EPAct metering requirement represents a starting point in the area of building energy metering in both the Federal and non-Federal commercial buildings sectors. In the 10 years following EPAct, it has become clear that collecting meter data, when limited to measuring and reporting consumption along with the consequent analysis of that data, only begins to create the potential for efficiency improvements. Metering enables data acquisition. However, the additional steps of analyzing the metered data and then implementing corrective actions are essential for reducing energy use and costs. It is around this comprehensive process of acquisition, analysis, and action that a dynamic field has taken root in various forms including: • codes, mandates, and voluntary programs aimed at reducing energy use by increasing the implementation of meters and submeters • metering system products that offer less costly and more versatile data acquisition and analysis opportunities • product offerings aimed at completing the data analyses and initiating the identified actions that will yield the energy and cost efficiency improvements. This article provides a general summary of the programs and policies, technologies, and data approaches that we have seen emerging in the last few years that address the three components—acquire, analyze and act. These three components are essential for obtaining the maximum benefit from energy measurement. ©, Copyright Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).