Utilities Under Control. How Smart Metering Helps Save and Operate More Sustainably
With rising energy costs and growing pressure for efficiency, access to data is becoming crucial for making the right decisions. Smart Metering is a solution that provides full control over utility consumption – in real time, from anywhere. At Accolade, we have developed an advanced metering system to help our tenants manage their businesses as efficiently as possible.
In this article, you will learn:
1) how the system works and what it monitors,
2) how it can reduce your bills and resource consumption,
3) how quickly responding to unusual usage brings real benefits.
Why is it worth keeping utilities under control?
Electricity, water, heating, or gas bills are among the biggest operating costs for businesses. On top of that, environmental regulations and ESG expectations are rising – more and more organizations are tracking their carbon footprint and energy performance. Smart Metering is a solution that enables not only data monitoring, but also insights and action.
You no longer have to wait for monthly reports to realize something is wrong. With real-time data analysis, you can act earlier – before unnecessary costs or operational problems arise.
What is Smart Metering and how does it work?
Smart Metering is an intelligent system that collects data from utility meters and sensors installed in a building. It measures the consumption of electricity, water, gas, and heat, and also tracks indoor conditions – such as temperature, humidity, or CO₂ levels. All this data is sent to an application that gives you full transparency and access to updates every fifteen minutes.
The system not only collects information – it interprets it. It shows which building operations consume the most and where savings can be found.
-> Example? If the air conditioning is running on the weekend in an empty building or the temperature is set far above standard – the system will notify you immediately.
What can the system detect before you even notice a problem?
Smart Metering acts as an early warning system. It monitors usage parameters and flags any deviations from the norm – before they turn into costs.
It’s a digital assistant that never sleeps – even when the office is empty – and it detects:
1) Equipment turned on outside working hours – the system logs energy use that shouldn’t occur at night or on weekends,
2) Incorrect HVAC settings – it detects overly high or low temperatures, which impact comfort and costs,
3) Unnecessary energy use – e.g., lights left on in empty rooms,
4) Irregularities in water systems – it detects leaks or unusual flows that could lead to losses or damage,
5) All of this happens automatically – and you receive alerts that allow you to respond before minor issues turn into costly problems.
What benefits does Smart Metering offer tenants?
For tenants, Smart Metering is more than just a technology – it’s a practical support tool for everyday operations. It enables ongoing optimization of utility usage, which results in lower bills. It also allows for precise and transparent billing of electricity, water, or gas consumption – helping tenants better control their costs and easily settle accounts with the property owner.
The system also improves cooperation with landlords – it simplifies communication and utility management, which can lead to better lease terms and shared efforts toward energy efficiency.
Thanks to an intuitive online dashboard, data is available 24/7 – from anywhere. This makes it easier to pursue and support ESG goals. Importantly, from an operational point of view, the system enables changes to be implemented immediately – without waiting for the monthly report. That means you can make timely decisions before a cost appears on your invoice.
How to get started?
If you want to find out how much energy your building operations are truly consuming – and where you can cut costs – just take the first step. Contact Kamila Lech (kamila.lech@accolade.eu) from the Asset Management team at Accolade.
We’ll guide you through an analysis of your current situation and costs, arrange a technical visit, and provide an estimate for installation and system maintenance. The entire process is transparent and tailored to the needs of your business.