Consider the impact of an M&V program on mechanical system design and space requirements. Keep in mind that your mechanical system must be capable of providing the necessary outputs for continuous metering. (The outputs are typically energy usage as kWs, BTUs or therms over a given period of time.) Whether an automated record from a BMS or a metered reading taken manually on a continual basis, the specifics of output metric and duration must be defined in your M&V plan.
There can be a high cost associated with the installation of a BMS (especially if your building was not planning on including one), but such systems can reduce operational costs and certainly provide the ability to identify high energy and water use during peak loads.
A BMS records energy and water use data that can be revisited to compare to usage predicted during design. Using a BMS is also more convenient for the facilities manager.
Consider incorporating a building management system (BMS) into your space. This is not necessary for projects—installing simple, continuous metering can meet the credit requirements. A BMS can be a valuable facility component that records and verifies the energy and water use of a space. It provides central control of all identified systems while providing a user-friendly interface.
Installing submeters is not typically associated with high cost. It is more typically associated with cost savings, as tenants paying for their actual energy use tend to reduce their energy bills by including energy-efficient equipment and operating their space more efficiently.
If you choose to pay for energy use separately from the base lease, you must negotiate a lease with the landlord that does not include utility bills in the base rent or as a yearly flat rate. You can choose to pay a prorated or proportional amount based on tenant space square footage; flat rates, however, are not compliant.
You do not have to separately submeter your electrical systems—you could have a single metering system cover HVAC, lighting, and plug loads, for example. However, you must separately meter fuel oil, district or distributed energy, steam, chilled water, other fuels, and process water.
