FAQ
Can we really save money and reduce CO2 emissions using energy monitoring?
Yes. Research by the Carbon Trust shows that the use of a limited energy monitoring system and wider behavioural changes in using energy can provide a conservative 10 to 15 per cent cut in fuel bills. Meaning the average school could save up to £700 a year and the average 900-pupil school more than £3,000 a year on fuel bills alone. Clearly, a fully functional multi-metering system such as the V.E.M.S. provides more information, so much greater savings can be achieved.
We already have an existing meter fitted; can it be used in the V.E.M.S. system?
Yes. Nearly all existing meters can be integrated into the V.E.M.S.
Can I use the V.E.M.S. as a teaching aid?
Yes. The display screens have been specifically designed to be used in the classroom, and have constantly updating graphics and characters to help make the subject of energy use interesting to children of all ages.
Can every school benefit from energy monitoring?
Yes. Reductions in CO2 emissions and energy costs can be made by every school. The educational benefits of the system can be gained irrespective of what quantity of energy is consumed.
Will the V.E.M.S. replace my existing fiscal meter?
No. The fiscal meters will still be used. In some cases where energy billing is in dispute, we can fit suitable secondary meters to allow you to confirm that charges are correct. The V.E.M.S. provides real-time information about electricity, gas and water use to enable usage to be charged at the correct tariff for the actual day in question.
Can the V.E.M.S. monitor and report real-time CO2 levels?
Yes. CO2 detectors can monitor as many learning areas as required. The V.E.M.S. provides real-time information, alarms and graphs that can be used to ensure that adequate but not excessive ventilation is used to comply with Building Bulletin 101 (BB 101).
What is Mid?
Since 30th October 2006 a new European Directive has been in force that applies to measuring instruments, including gas and electricity meters where measurements are used as the b asis to bill energy consumers.
This directive is known as MID (measuring instrument directive). In great Britain it replaces the meter approcal process previously undertaken by OFGEM.
The principle aim of the directive is to create a single market for measuring instruments across Europe. Until this directive came into force each country in the European Union has its own arrangements for dealing with energy meter requirements when used for billing purposes. This meant that most often a meter design approved in another, before it was allowed to be used. This was very expensive and so the European Union decided to harmonize standards so that meters were tested to the same standard throughout Europe.
This means that once a meter has been approved i t can be sold throughout the EU without re testing in each country.
It should be noted that whilst all new designs of meters must be approved under MID, there is a transition period under the Directive that, until late 2016, allows meters approved under the pre-MID arrangements to be manufactured and installed.
When must a MID or OFGEM approved meter be used?
In Great Britain a MID or OFGEM approved meter must be used in the following circumstances:
When a landlord wants to use a meter to measure the energy consumption of apartments in his building, and send the tenants a bill for the energy they have used.
When a shopping centre owner wants to use a meter to measure the energy consumption of stores within his shopping centre, and bill them for the energy they have used.
When a camping or caravan site owner wants to use a meter to measure the consumption of its customers and bill them for the energy that they have used.
The meter installed must also ensure that the meter used is appropriate for the expected loads and installation conditions.
