Smart Meters: Building Your Smart Infrastructure Just Got Easier

A smarter infrastructure begins by leveraging new and emerging technologies to ensure immediate bottom-line savings. These future-proof solutions will grow as the needs of your building change. Smart metering systems can help you make data-driven decisions to: Manage and reduce OPEX Plan and justify CAPEX more efficiently Safeguard equipment and the operating environment Monitor and maintain operating parameters to regulatory and compliance standards Why are smart meters different? Smart metering systems go beyond the fundamental utility meters to provide whole-building insight at an appropriately discreet level of data. Monitoring usage and gathering real-time data will assist facility professionals in designing predictive maintenance plans, allocating CAPEX for maximum productivity, and ensuring the continuity of the operating environment all with data-driven analysis and real-time information. Smart meters provide proactive monitoring of primary HVAC functions in buildings without complete BMS systems. Therefore, user alerts and notifications can detect issues quickly, such as utility leaks and excessive usage. With reliable and secure real-time data collection, costly unscheduled emergency repairs and downtime can be avoided. With a smarter infrastructure, consolidated data and energy reporting are available. Centrally located remote access and reporting of multiple locations can assist with easy access to useful data analytics to help your company optimize consumption across multiple locations. Access control, equipment health monitoring, and alarming are additional tools that can assist with productivity and managing daily operations. Smart Meter Uses Critical Equipment Monitoring Smart metering solutions can replace or supplement existing compliance solutions by the following: Reduced labor requirements to manually record Secure data storage via cloud and server-based backups Automated compliance monitoring and alarming Detecting ambient environmental changes that endanger the equipment or operation Measurement and Verification Services The usage of smart meters can provide project planning feasibility data. Through a verification process, energy savings goals that have been met or exceeded can be maintained and measured. Why WESCO Energy Solutions? Our team works together to create the right solution for quick ROI and the maximum level of accurate data collection. Bringing together innovative design teams, engineering experts, and 24/7 support staff, we manage and install the approved design plan while minimizing disruption to your day-to-day business operations. Learn more at our website below.

8 Reasons to Invest in a Lighting Retrofit Upgrade

Gone are the days of high utility bills and frequently required lighting maintenance. As technology has improved and LED lighting has become more affordable, there’s no need to waste time and money on the lighting of the past. In fact, upgrading your old and inefficient lighting system can yield a number of benefits for your company. From the obvious reduction in energy consumption to rapid ROI and building integration opportunities, the decision is easy. When it comes time to consider a lighting retrofit for your facility, here are a few of reasons why an energy-efficient lighting upgrade should be a consideration. 1. Maximize Utility Rebates When it comes to sustainable lighting solutions, there are a number of rebate options available. In many cases, rebates can pay for large portions of the project when they are identified and scoped into the work early on. It’s important to do this research early in the process, because if you wait too long to apply, the rebate may expire or have reached its maximum spend allowance. Once the rebates have been approved, the payment may be directly paid to the end user or it may be applied to the project costs. This process will vary depending on the specific rebate and the state in which the project is completed in. Assessing your project will help ensure you are taking advantage of the most aggressive rebates being offered by choosing the correct lighting products for your space. For example, many utilities offer aggressive rebates for specific product types or with on bill financing (OBF) options.  Accommodating these programs within the lighting proposal often results in significantly faster ROI and potentially high levels of funding for the project from the Utility provider.  2. Reduce Energy Consumption One of the top and most common reasons for investing in a lighting retrofit is for the energy consumption benefits. Depending on the application, the reduction in lighting load alone can be up to 50% or more. There is also opportunity for added savings by applying advanced control strategies to reduce consumption an additional 40% or more in most spaces. With LED lighting, there is the potential to reduce the number of light fixtures required to light a given space, meaning you’ll save by purchasing fewer products. They also generate less heat than traditional lighting solutions and will result in HVAC energy spend savings. Lastly, upgrading your lighting system allows for energy consumption and light levels to be adjusted throughout the day to save additional funds. Here’s how having the ability to adjusting lighting can improve cost savings: Adjust the lighting required for off-shift cleaning crews Turn lighting on for security checks during off-hours Only have required lighting on over weekends Easily change lighting for an empty office in the evenings 3. Improve Site Safety Lighting retrofits can improve site safety by addressing areas of low light that could be potential safety hazards. Working with installers who provide design and photometric analysis will identify areas for improvement such as low-lit parking lots. A retrofit upgrade can improve light levels in these high-hazard areas while still reducing energy consumption. The use of lighting controls can automatically ensure lights are on and at the appropriate levels for the areas they are in. 4. Enhance Aesthetics The right lighting selection doesn’t only reduce energy and costs, it can also enhance the aesthetics of a building. The proper choice of color temperature can enhance the existing color scheme of a space and highlight prominent building features. Added exterior building lighting designs can add dimension and emphasis to an existing architecture. Depending on the project requirements, lighting aesthetics can be done in white or RGB color schemes. 5. Increase Productivity LED lighting has been shown to improve employee productivity. This can be done by ensuring that light levels and the color temperatures are adequate and appropriate to the task that is being performed. With a retrofit upgrade, it’s even possible to allow individual light levels and color adjustments to accommodate personal employee preference. For employees working in an office at a desk, it might mean softening over lit environments to reduce eye strain and fatigue. In the warehouse, it might be adding additional lighting to darker, hard to see areas for additional visibility. No matter what location a lighting retrofit is designed for, it allows for improvements in employee productivity. 6. Integrate with Building Management Systems Building management systems can integrate with upgraded lighting systems. Retrofits are often compatible with BACnet and Niagara AX protocol, and many lighting control systems have Tstat capabilities for increased savings where no central BMS is present. Lighting occupancy stats can also be used to achieve HVAC set back optimization. Lighting data can be incorporated into existing BMS analytics and other data analytic applications. Once implemented, all building controls can be viewed on one central platform to monitor performance and make adjustments. 7. Achieve Rapid ROI It’s very common to see ROI for LED lighting retrofit projects within three to five years. With the use of rebates and proper ECM selection, ROI investments can be brought down under two years. In addition, Lighting as a Service (LaaS) offerings and other financial tools allow savings and benefits with no cash out of pocket. Cash flow is usually positive immediately upon project completion. 8. Lower Operations and Maintenance Costs New, longer life products require less periodic maintenance and extend the time between relamp/retrofit expenses. Longer lifespans and reliability save additional money in difficult to service spaces that require time and equipment to access. Lighting controls can add to the functional life of products, report, and predict outage moving maintenance activity from reactive to preventive. Advanced lighting controls can track occupancy rate and times to improve savings on cleaning and housekeeping costs. Lighting the Way to Savings Lighting retrofits are not only a sustainable solution to push your company into the future, but also provide cost savings opportunities. Whether you’re simply in need of a new lighting system due to outdated and wearing equipment, or looking to take advantage of the number of benefits a retrofit will provide – now’s the time to invest. Not sure where to get started? Partnering with a lighting solutions partner, such as WESCO Energy Solutions (WES), will ensure that you have the proper upgrade for your facility and are reaching optimal savings. The right partner can take the guessing work out of the best upgrade option and rebates available for your project. Featured Products