Dual system (energy management/electrical submetering) retrofit
This paper discussed implementation of an innovative and state-of-the-art Dual System, capable of both energy management and electrical submetering, that was installed in a large New York City multi-family residential master-metered housing complex during 1997. Both technical and non-technical issues affected the decision-making process. The selection of the Dual System represented a compromise necessary for the project to overcome barriers and obtain utility rebates. The Dual System enables the sharing of control (EMS) and metering (Submetering) signals through the use of powerline carrier (PLC) communications, minimizing installation costs and resident intrusion. The EMS controls individual apartment electrical heating and cooling equipment by activating remote switching equipment installed on the unit circuits in order to reduce electric consumption, primarily when tenants are not at home. When tenants are at home, they can manually override the system. The submetering application (when implemented) will involve the measurement and billing of electric use in individual apartment units. Without submetering, individual apartment electric costs are allocated based on methods other than actual usage (e.g., number of rooms). With submetering, individual apartments are metered by management, which then allocates and bills utility costs fairly to residents in proportion to actual consumption. Residents would thus pay for what they use and have the incentive to conserve. The project has shown that both EMS and Submetering can be installed in a rental property in a rent-regulated environment and overcome the many barriers encountered. It provides strong and compelling evidence supporting policy favoring submetering as both an energy conservation measure and as an equitable means of allocating building operating costs. Both prior studies and preliminary data from the Project confirm the potential for savings for submetering and EMS (so far, only 5.8% for EMS vs 20% in prior projects), as well as the high variance in usage among apartments.
- Research Organization:
- Applied Energy Group, Inc., Hauppauge, NY (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20006348
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980815-; TRN: IM200007%%404
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1998 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Pacific Grove, CA (US), 08/23/1998--08/28/1998; Other Information: 10 volume set available for $200.00; PBD: 1998; Related Information: In: 1998 ACEEE summer study on energy efficiency in buildings: Proceedings, [3100] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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