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The UK government set in place a roll out schemes for smart meters from 2014 to 2019
for both domestic and non-domestic buildings, despite the fact that the there is dearth of
research on feedback on their impact on building performance in use as aptly pointed
out by Stevenson & Leaman:
“…it makes it difficult to ascertain whether targets are
being achieved in reality, whether the design, procurement,
and management strategies are actually working and
whether occupants are actually reducing their demands
and expectations (particularly in relation to so-called
‘efficiency gains’)…” (2010, 437).
Darby (2006) agrees and pointed out that primary cause of much of energy wastage was
the invisibility of its consumption and that consumer behavior could be affected by
effective feedback that included support in both interpreting the information as well as
advice on the what to do with it. It is estimated that this is likely to result in reductions in
the range of 5-15% however; other studies have shown that there is a distinct decrease
in level of energy savings that was originally made after a few months if habits are not
formed (Stevenson & Leaman, 2010).
Consumer behavior is affected by culture; for example, a study by Isaacs, Saville-Smith,
Camilleri and Burrough (2010) in New Zealand indicated that people there are
comfortable living in rooms with lower temperatures in comparison to other parts of the
world. Another study of the high performances residential development by Ajzen (1985)
revealed that behavior had a significant impact on resource consumption within same
housing type; suggesting that more attention needs to be given to behavior in
comparison to intelligent physical systems than is currently done. Gram-Hanssen (2010)
concur pointing out that energy consumption in two different housing of same type and
size can vary by up to three times or more, thus pointing to user behavior as ultimate
game changer beyond efficient fabric.
Metering Technology and EMS
The importance of the quality of feedback cannot be understated and it forms part of
good management practices and structure within any organization and are critical in
influencing positive energy usage behavior (TSB, 2009; MBEKTN, 2010). There are
several metering technologies that have been adapted to measure energy usage in
buildings, including a sub meter, an advanced meter and a smart meter. The first is
normally location based and is used to obtain part of total energy load of the building; the
second are placed in building but read remotely and at frequent intervals and can be
placed within the main meter or sub meters with the capability to store and transmit
readings every half hourly. The last type, the smart meters, allow for two way
communication between the utility company and the consumer building, unlike the first
two that are one way communication tools hence, is an intelligent metering technology
(BBP, 2011). Sub-metering technology is cheaper, easy to use and allow for good
energy management to take place and could potentially contribute to positive behavioral
change of the users of the zone where energy is read if feedback is shared
appropriately.
Research Methodology
This paper examines the use of existing sub metering technology in attempt to increase
energy efficiency in a non-domestic building environment and whether the data gathered
