How connected technology can help property developers reach future net zero

18th September 2021
Nations and businesses around the world are working towards net zero targets, and reducing utility consumption is an obvious step in the process. With this significant focus on energy efficiency, how can property developers ensure future net zero compliance? Matthew Margetts, Director of Sales and Marketing at Smarter Technologies, explores the answer.
Nations and businesses around the world are working towards net zero targets, and reducing utility consumption is an obvious step in the process. With this significant focus on energy efficiency, how can property developers ensure future net zero compliance? Matthew Margetts, Director of Sales and Marketing at Smarter Technologies, explores the answer.

The UK aims to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To help achieve this goal, the government has announced that all new homes will be banned from installing gas and oil boilers by 2025. Instead, they will be heated by low-carbon alternatives. The change comes as no surprise, considering that the heat used to warm the UK’s homes contributes to 14% to the nation’s overall emissions level. The ban of gas boilers will be a significant step in the right direction.

Another carbon-reduction measure mandated by the government is that energy suppliers must make all reasonable efforts to install smart meters or Advanced Meter Reading (AMR) equipment in all businesses and homes by 2025.

Alongside alternative heating solutions, smart meters and automated meter readers (AMRs) give even greater oversight to property developers and homeowners on their premises’ energy use. It should be encouraged that property developers consider this type of technology as standard to truly enhance the 21st-century energy game.

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Smart and AMR meters can allow you to see exactly how much energy your business is using. Along with helping to support your energy-efficiency efforts, intelligent metering technology also enables more accurate bills, and can help you reduce your utility bills.

When we talk about smart meters and AMRs, we’re not just talking about gas and electricity; water efficiency also has an important role in helping us adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate further climate change, and reach net zero status. According to Waterwise UK, around 6% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions are from household water supply and use. 

Smart water meters and AMRs for water help property managers to reduce water consumption and thus deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Curbing water usage also helps save money and secure future water supplies.

Accurate billing 

With an AMR retrofitted onto your existing meter or new smart meter technology, you won’t need to spend time and money taking manual readings. Meter readings will be sent to your supplier remotely every month, saving you time and hassle. This improved billing with actual readings also provides you with more control to forecast usage and budget ahead. 

Access the data 

Knowing how much gas, electricity and water is used by your facility in a day and during a month is the first step in reducing your consumption. A simple tool to help you achieve this is an AMR or smart meter, which gives you access to accurate consumption data.

Simply placed on your existing water meters, AMR devices can feed your utility consumption data into a smart portal in real time to help you track your usage and spot any issues or unusual increases. 

Analyse the data 

With accurate, real-time utility consumption data available to you, you’ll be better equipped to make data-driven decisions about how to control your consumption and reduce your carbon footprint.

Key to identifying potential efficiencies is having a central reporting and analytics system. This gives you not only a real-time view of your consumption, but allows for historic reporting and predictive analytics, allowing you to optimise your gas, electricity and water provision even further. 

Smart meter or AMR – which type of meter is right for your premises?
  • The Government has specified that micro businesses and domestic premises should be upgraded to smart meters, rather than AMRs. 
  • Small or medium sized businesses can have either a smart meter or AMR installed. However, it is likely an AMR meter will be more suitable.
  • Large businesses should have an AMR meter installed.

It’s worth noting that there may be exceptions as to which meter type is the most suitable due to the specifics of your site. In some cases, another specialist type of meter may be required.

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Regardless of the type of meter installed, industry-leading technology can help your facility use utilities more effectively, reduce waste and running costs and reach UN Sustainable Development Goals. Whether you’re working with domestic or commercial properties, it won’t take long for you to see results AND a return on investment. 

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Matthew Margetts

Matthew Margetts is Director of Sales and Marketing at Smarter Technologies. His background includes working for blue-chip companies such as AppNexus, AOL/ Verizon, and Microsoft in the UK, Far East and Australia

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