Grainger
Tenant metering solution
Remote management of EMS and BMS
Replaced close to 200 meters in a two-week period
Minimal disruption through considered mobilisation plan
The problem
Grainger is the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, with c.9,000 rental homes in its portfolio. Their focus is creating high quality homes built specifically for renting and professionally managing these properties directly. As part of their support for tenants, they strive to provide the most accurate energy billing data they can, ensuring their tenants as being billed based on the energy they are using, avoiding estimates.
After a detailed survey of one of their larger properties of over 190 apartments, Grainger made the decision to upgrade their tenant metering system as they didn’t feel it was providing them with the level of data that they wanted in order to bill tenants with accurate usage. When it comes to energy, accurate billing is critical, especially at this time when there is such turbulence occurring in the utility market. Accurate data benefits both partners.
The concept
Due to the life cycle restrictions of the existing HIU meters, they required full replacement along with a review of the existing metering network and data collection devices. We needed to complete this with as little disruption and risk for the tenants, along with providing a robust system that would provide automated data which could be sent through to their billing partner, following their data requirements.
The solution
We spent time researching the best replacement meter which would provide the required level of billing data, but also reduce install time. One of the key things we considered was around minimising the risk of any leaks and disruption to the tenants’ homes.
We installed a number of data collections within the existing metering network, taking measures to ensure network strength and resilience. The meter data was collected through a number of data collectors, feeding back into a central Energy Management System (EMS) at the base of each block. We then installed secure remote connectivity to allow the transfer of the meter data but also the remote management of both the EMS and the BMS to ensure smooth running of the systems.
Thermatic Energy have supported us on a number of projects throughout our estate from BEMS, Metering and monitoring. They always provide clear information, so we can make informed decisions, looking at both our residents' experience, along with our lifecycle plans when managing projects. Samantha West CI Head of FM.
Delivery
Our team worked with Grainger to agree on a system that allowed the project to be completed, replacing over 190 meters in a two-week period. Minimising disruption and reducing revisits was heavily targeted within our mobilisation plan. We were able to work with our customer and their own experience to achieve a positive outcome for both landlord and tenant.
It’s important to remember that working within peoples’ homes is a very different environment to commercial spaces. Our engineers would always ensure they treat any home they are in with the same respect as they would their own home, taking particular care and attention when it came to cleanliness, reducing disruption, and communication with the tenant.
