Top 5 Tips for Successful Energy Management

As corporate sustainability is quickly becoming an integral part of corporate culture, many organizations in the U.S. are just beginning to follow the footsteps of seasoned sustainable companies. And as many of their energy management programs are in their infancy, many companies struggle to piece together the right elements to create a successful effort to reduce consumption and cost.

Many companies are turning to energy management programs to monitor, control, and conserve their energy consumption for more positive financial and social outcomes. So, when it comes to building the right strategy for energy management, what exactly are the right pieces to complete the puzzle? Check out our top five elements to building a successful energy management strategy:

1. Identify Sources of Energy Consumption

Whether it’s natural gas or electricity, understanding what  types of energy your company is using can help you identify the specific areas  that are utilizing the most energy. Breaking down energy consumption helps  your organization identify which areas are consuming the most,  allowing  you to take steps to monitor its usage activity — saving you money while reducing your carbon footprint.

2. Collect Utility Bill Data

After identifying which sources of energy your company is using, you can take steps to monitor the energy usage. Before you begin analyzing which areas  need to reduce energy consumption, a key piece of the puzzle is needed: utility bill data. This is where partnering with a utility data service company, like Urjanet, is helpful because these companies can access and aggregate a large amount of data within your utility bill, for all your accounts. Without collecting your  company’s invoices, there is no effective way to begin cutting down on costs and energy consumption.

3. Analyze Meter Data

Once data is collected, with the correct program, energy managers can begin to analyze how the energy is being used and identify which buildings are consuming  the most energy. In some cases, companies can access interval data, which can identify when energy use is at its peak and when it the lowest. Energy use can be evaluated spanning across months, weeks, days, hours, and even in minutes.

Download the eBook to learn how to refine your energy management program with interval data.

4. Identify Opportunities to Save on Costs

By understanding what time of the days or which days of the week energy consumption is the highest, proactive steps can be taken to reduce costs. Whether it’s replacing machinery or understanding which systems may still be running during off hours, there is now a comprehensive understanding on how energy is being consumed.

5. Track Your Progress

After action is taken and changes are made to daily operations, track the difference between energy usage. If the data is the same and no progress is being made, then an alternative action should be taken. Tracking your progress allows you to see if your changes are effectively reducing costs.

Effective energy management is key to helping your company achieve their corporate sustainability goals. By having a knowledgeable hold on monitoring, controlling and conserving their energy spend, companies can greatly reduce their costs.

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Related Resources:

• How the Internet of Things Intersects with Energy Management
• Take Your Energy Management Program Beyond the Bill with Interval Data
• Solutions Sheet: Utility Interval Data

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