Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation

To account for operational changes, a 5%–10% discrepancy—between baseline and  post-construction energy use—may be acceptable. 

Record any post-construction upgrades or changes to operations and maintenance in order to best understand post-construction energy use. 

Track and archive trending data with utility metering and energy submetering systems required by the M&V plan.

Ensure that appropriate personnel are trained to optimize the system to its greatest potential.

The M&V plan should be implemented for at least the first year of building operations.

M&V programs require continuous energy use and staff attention. One of the larger costs associated with this credit is the time needed by staff to read, interpret, and act on feedback provided by an M&V program that needs manual or spot readings. Although more expensive to install, an integrated, computerized BMS that assists in day-to-day management can financially benefit a complex building or one with multi-tenant spaces. 

The payback period for M&V programs depends on the initial cost of additional meters and whether the program has identified inefficiencies that wouldn’t have been found otherwise. Some fixes may be substantial and will pay for the metering system. After the BMS or metering system has been installed, the true return depends on the commitment of the owner and operational staff.

Encourage your operations team to use data generated by the M&V program to run the building at optimal efficiency. 

Meters and submeters should be recalibrated periodically according to manufacturers’ recommendations.