Energy Management Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Managing a building’s energy doesn’t have to be a guessing game. In fact, it can be surprisingly straightforward — if you know where to look.
Here’s the sweet spot:
- 1 smart main meter keeps an eye on the whole building.
- 5 – 7 sub-meters zoom in on the circuits that sip the most power.
Just those meters reveal roughly 90% of the insights you need to cut costs and hit sustainability goals. Sound too simple? It's not.
Across Europe, supermarkets and office buildings are already streamlining their metering setups — and winning. You don’t need a sea of meters. You need the right meters, in the right places.
Let’s dive into how you can make it happen.
Why Smart Metering Matters More Than Ever
Energy use makes up over 25% of the operating costs for supermarkets and commercial offices.
At the same time, Europe is marching towards an ambitious goal: Net Zero by 2050. Accurate, actionable energy data isn’t just a bonus anymore — it’s a necessity.
Good news:
Today’s smart meters already deliver granular data at the main supply. And with smart planning, you can capture 90% of your building’s major energy uses with just a handful of sub-meters.
No unnecessary complexity. No drowning in numbers.
Your Main Meter: The Energy Scoreboard You Already Own
Think of the main meter as your building’s energy scoreboard.
One number that tells you the full story — if you know how to read it.
With main meter data alone, you can:
- Spot major anomalies: When total energy use suddenly spikes (+10%), something’s wrong — and the main meter catches it fast.
- Track performance trends: Compare energy use across seasons or years, normalised for weather and occupancy.
- Verify project savings: After installing solar panels or upgrading HVAC, the drop in consumption shows up immediately.
- Benchmark buildings: Rank supermarket branches or office sites by energy intensity (kWh/m²) to find outliers.
In short:
Before installing dozens of new meters, look at what your main meter is already telling you.
Why 5–7 Sub-Meters Are All You Need
It’s a myth that you need to meter everything to manage energy properly.In fact, focusing only on your building’s biggest energy consumers delivers almost all the actionable insights you need.
Strategic Targets For Sub-Metering:
Real-World Benchmarks:
- Most EU supermarkets and office buildings succeed with just 5–7 targeted sub-meters.
- UK Building Regulations (Part L) require 90% end-use capture — typically achieved with one meter per major system, plus the main meter.
- Studies show that going beyond system-level sub-metering offers little additional energy savings.
How to Build an Optimal Metering Strategy
Designing a lean, effective metering plan isn’t complicated — it’s strategic.Here’s the simple blueprint:
Step 1: Start with your main meter.
Step 2: Identify your top 5 energy consumers.
Step 3: Place sub-meters surgically, not everywhere.
Step 4: Use smart analytics to extract maximum insights.
Europe’s Shift Towards Smarter, Simpler Metering
Across the EU, trends clearly favour smart simplicity:
- Smart Meter Rollouts: Over 80% of EU buildings now have smart main meters, offering high-quality consumption data without extra hardware.
- Building Codes (like Part L and EPBD): Focus on monitoring major energy flows — not micromanaging every outlet.
- ISO 50001 Energy Management: Requires monitoring of "significant energy uses," not exhaustive sub-metering.
Conclusion: Keep It Smart, Keep It Simple
When it comes to energy monitoring, quality beats quantity — every time.
- Your main meter is a treasure trove of insights.
- Five to seven sub-meters, placed wisely, unlock nearly all the actionable information you need.
- More meters just add cost, noise, and complexity — without major gains.
Want Help Designing A Smart, Cost-Effective Metering Plan?
Let’s talk! Request your free metering strategy session.
Written by
Joachim
and
