Author: admin.ec

 

As organisations look for smarter, more efficient ways to monitor and control energy usage, new technologies are reshaping the industry. One of the most effective and scalable solutions is LoRaWAN — a wireless communication technology that makes it possible to connect hundreds of devices and sensors across large sites without the need for complex cabling or expensive infrastructure.

But what is LoRaWAN, how does it work, and why is it becoming so important in energy management?

What is LoRaWAN?

LoRaWAN stands for Long Range Wide Area Network. It is a low-power, wide-area networking protocol designed to connect devices over long distances while consuming very little energy. Unlike Wi-Fi or cellular networks, LoRaWAN can transmit data several kilometres, making it ideal for large industrial, commercial, or campus-style environments.

The system is built around three main components:
• End devices (sensors/meters) – Installed on-site to collect data such as electricity, gas, or water usage.
• Gateways – These receive signals from the devices and pass them on to the network server.
• Network server and platform – Manages the data, ensuring it reaches the correct application for monitoring, analysis, and reporting.

How Does LoRaWAN Work in Energy Monitoring?

When used for LoRaWAN energy monitoring, sensors placed throughout a building or site automatically transmit data on energy consumption to a central platform. Because LoRaWAN has such long-range capabilities, a single gateway can cover an entire building or even a multi-building site.

This makes it possible to collect highly accurate, real-time data without installing extensive cabling or relying on costly SIM-based solutions. The information is then analysed in an energy management platform, giving managers visibility of consumption patterns and inefficiencies.

Why Use LoRaWAN in Energy Management?

The adoption of LoRaWAN systems for energy management is growing rapidly because it addresses many of the challenges businesses face in monitoring energy use:

• Wide Coverage – Ideal for large facilities, campuses, and industrial sites.
• Low Power Consumption – Sensors can run for years on a single battery, reducing maintenance costs.
• Scalable – Easily add new devices as monitoring requirements grow.
• Cost-Effective – Minimal cabling and infrastructure needed compared to traditional metering systems.
• Real-Time Insights – Data is collected continuously, helping organisations respond quickly to inefficiencies.

For businesses aiming to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and hit sustainability targets, LoRaWAN energy management provides a flexible and future-ready solution.

Elcomponent and LoRaWAN Energy Monitoring

At Elcomponent, we specialise in delivering advanced LoRaWAN systems for energy management. By combining our expertise in sub-metering and data collection with the latest LoRaWAN technology, we provide solutions that give businesses the insight they need to reduce energy consumption and achieve meaningful cost savings.

Whether you operate a single commercial site or manage a nationwide estate, LoRaWAN energy monitoring makes it simpler and more affordable to understand and control your energy usage.

Contact Elcomponent today to find out how our LoRaWAN energy management systems can help your organisation cut costs, improve efficiency, and reach its sustainability goals.

For many businesses, energy is one of the largest controllable overheads — and in large office blocks or across multiple sites, the collective cost can be substantial. From heating and cooling to IT systems and lighting, energy consumption in office environments adds up quickly. With a well-designed energy management system, businesses can identify where their energy is being used, highlight areas of waste, and implement strategies that deliver meaningful savings.

A typical office building consumes energy across a wide range of systems. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) are often the single largest users, as they are responsible for maintaining a comfortable working environment throughout the day. Lighting is another significant factor, with office spaces, meeting rooms, reception areas, and car parks requiring constant illumination.

IT infrastructure adds further demand, with hundreds of computers, printers, and servers running daily — and many left on standby overnight. Catering facilities such as kitchens and staff break areas, along with shared spaces like lifts and circulation areas, also contribute to the overall energy load. Without accurate monitoring, it is difficult for businesses to pinpoint which of these areas represents the greatest opportunity for savings.

Deployment of Energy Management Systems

By deploying Elcomponent’s advanced energy monitoring systems, businesses gain a clear and granular view of consumption across all their office spaces. This level of insight allows them to track how different departments or buildings use energy, spot anomalies such as equipment running overnight, and benchmark performance across multiple sites.

The data not only reveals inefficiencies but also highlights where investment should be focused to deliver the highest return, helping decision-makers turn energy into a managed cost rather than an uncontrollable overhead.
There are also a number of practical steps that office-based businesses can adopt to reduce bills once they understand their energy profile.

Upgrading to LED lighting with occupancy sensors can deliver immediate savings, while optimising HVAC systems ensures heating and cooling schedules match actual building use. IT policies can be introduced to ensure PCs, printers, and monitors are fully powered down outside working hours, and hybrid working patterns can be taken into account by adjusting energy use to reflect lower occupancy levels. Beyond this, engaging employees in energy-saving behaviours can help embed a culture of efficiency across the organisation.

Integrated Energy Monitoring Across Multisite Operations

For businesses with offices spread across the country, an integrated energy management installation provides central oversight of every site through one system. This makes it possible to view total business energy consumption at a glance, identify underperforming sites, and share best practices between locations. It also provides a platform to coordinate progress towards sustainability and net zero targets on a company-wide scale.

Large office buildings and multi-site businesses have enormous potential to reduce their energy bills. With Elcomponent’s energy management solutions, organisations gain the insight needed to cut waste, optimise performance, and reinvest savings where they matter most.

 

Energy is one of the largest overheads for schools, colleges, and university campuses. With multiple buildings, extended operating hours, and high demand from staff and students, costs can rise quickly if consumption isn’t monitored and controlled.

A well-designed energy management system gives education establishments the tools they need to understand exactly where energy is being used — and where it’s being wasted. With this insight, schools and universities can cut costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and reinvest savings back into frontline education.

Where Education Establishments Use the Most Energy

The daily operation of a campus relies on a wide range of energy-intensive systems. High-consumption areas typically include:

• Heating and Hot Water – Essential for classrooms, halls, and accommodation blocks, especially during colder months.
• Lighting – Covering classrooms, corridors, sports halls, libraries, and external spaces.
• IT and Equipment – Hundreds of computers, printers, projectors, and lab equipment running throughout the day.
• Catering Facilities – Kitchens, dining halls, and canteens with ovens, refrigeration, and ventilation.
• Specialist Facilities – Science labs, swimming pools, and sports centres, all of which require substantial energy.
Without detailed monitoring, identifying the biggest opportunities for savings can be challenging.

The Role of Energy Management Systems

By deploying Elcomponent’s advanced energy monitoring systems, schools and universities can collect real-time, granular data on their consumption. This allows them to:

• Pinpoint inefficient heating or lighting schedules.
• Track high-demand areas such as kitchens, IT suites, and labs.
• Compare usage across departments or buildings.
• Highlight anomalies such as equipment left running overnight or during holidays.
• Measure the impact of energy-saving initiatives over time.
This level of visibility turns energy from a fixed overhead into a controllable cost.

Simple Solutions for Education Sector Savings

Alongside monitoring, there are practical steps education providers can adopt to reduce their bills:

• Lighting Upgrades – Replacing outdated bulbs with LED technology and using motion sensors in corridors or toilets.
• Heating Controls – Adjusting thermostats, zoning heating by building, and ensuring boilers are maintained.
• Holiday Shutdowns – Powering down IT suites, lab equipment, and catering facilities when not in use.
• Engagement Programmes – Involving staff and students in energy-saving initiatives to encourage behavioural change.
• Smart Scheduling – Using real-time data to align energy use with building occupancy.

When supported by a comprehensive energy management system, these measures deliver measurable savings.

Smarter Energy Use in Education

From small primary schools to multi-site universities, every education establishment has the potential to save on energy costs. By combining simple efficiency measures with advanced monitoring, Elcomponent helps institutions reduce consumption, save money, and contribute to sustainability targets.

Contact Elcomponent today to discover how our energy management solutions can help your school, college, or university cut costs and take control of energy usage.

With energy costs remaining a major pressure for UK organisations, the question of how to reduce business energy bills is more relevant than ever. From adopting simple efficiency measures to deploying advanced monitoring technology, there are a range of ways companies can take control of their consumption and achieve long-term savings.

Options for Reducing Business Energy Bills

Businesses today have several options available to reduce energy costs:

• Behavioural Changes – Encouraging staff to switch off unused equipment, adjust heating/cooling, and optimise working hours.
• Efficient Equipment – Upgrading to LED lighting, energy-rated appliances, and optimised HVAC systems.
• Renewable Integration – Using solar PV or on-site generation to reduce reliance on the grid.
• Time-of-Use Shifting – Running energy-intensive processes during off-peak hours to lower tariffs.

While these actions deliver measurable benefits, they are most powerful when guided by accurate data. That’s where a comprehensive energy management installation makes the difference.

The Role of Energy Management Installation

A properly designed energy management installation combines sub-metering, smart meters, and monitoring platforms to provide businesses with granular, real-time data on how energy is used. This gives decision-makers the insight needed to identify hidden inefficiencies and implement targeted savings strategies.

With Elcomponent’s energy monitoring systems, businesses can:
• Pinpoint high-consumption processes and equipment.
• Track the impact of energy-saving initiatives.
• Accurately allocate costs across departments or sites.
• Build a long-term strategy aligned with net zero goals.

This is not just about cutting bills — it’s about building an evidence-based approach to sustainable energy management.

Business Energy in the UK — The Bigger Picture

According to government data, UK businesses consume over 200 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity each year — that’s more than 200 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). Much of this is essential to daily operations, but a significant portion is wasted through inefficiencies.

If the UK’s business community could collectively reduce consumption by just 10%, it would equate to savings of around 20 billion kWh annually. That’s enough energy to power more than 6 million UK homes for a year — while also cutting millions of tonnes of carbon emissions.

Supporting Net Zero with Energy Monitoring

For the UK to reach its net zero targets by 2050, businesses must take a proactive role in reducing consumption. Deploying robust energy management solutions is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.
By turning data into actionable insight, organisations can:

• Reduce operating costs.
• Lower their carbon footprint.
• Demonstrate measurable progress towards sustainability commitments.
• Contribute to a collective national reduction in business energy usage.

Smarter Energy Management with Elcomponent

At Elcomponent, we design and install energy monitoring systems that give businesses the knowledge they need to cut costs and reduce consumption. By combining advanced sub-metering with intuitive reporting platforms, we deliver the insights that drive real savings.

The opportunity is clear: with better energy management, UK businesses can save billions of kWh collectively, helping both the bottom line and the planet.
Contact Elcomponent today to discuss how a designed energy management installation can reduce your bills and support your journey to net zero.

 

 

Why kWh/m² matters

Energy intensity (kWh per m² per year) lets you compare very different buildings on a like-for-like basis. UK government datasets now report median electricity and gas intensities by building use, so you can benchmark offices against factories, warehouses, shops and hospitality. GOV.UK

This article focuses on reliable sources of data, to help you understand the typical usage and costs related to business sectors and building spaces usage, from factories to retail.

Headline benchmarks

Recent official stats (ND-NEED 2024, covering 2022 metered use in England and Wales) and the government’s BEES survey (2014-15) give a clear picture of typical ranges:

• Hospitality: median electricity intensity 168 kWh/m²; median gas intensity 296 kWh/m². Among the highest per m² due to long hours and catering loads. GOV.UK
• Factories: median electricity intensity 28 kWh/m²; median gas intensity 72 kWh/m². Low per m² because sites are large, even though total consumption is high. GOV.UK
• Warehouses: median gas intensity 55 kWh/m²; among the lowest per m² overall. GOV.UK
• Offices: BEES shows median non-electrical intensity ~90 kWh/m² and office electrical intensity typically <100 kWh/m² in mixed-fuel offices; all-electric offices showed a median electrical intensity 124 kWh/m². GOV.UK
• Retail/shops: BEES median electrical intensity ~118 kWh/m² with non-electrical around 50 kWh/m². GOV.UK

Two structural effects to remember:

1. Smaller buildings use more per m². In 2022 the smallest premises had median electricity intensity ~97 kWh/m²vs ~46 kWh/m² for the largest. GOV.UK
2. Total demand is concentrated. A small share of sites drives most consumption; for example, 80% of electricity is used by the top 7% of buildings. GOV.UK

Converting kWh/m² into £/m² (illustrative)

To turn intensity into cost per m²:
£/m² = (electricity kWh/m² × electricity p/kWh) + (gas kWh/m² × gas p/kWh).

Using indicative 2024-25 non-domestic price ranges from DESNZ/ONS (electricity roughly 20–30 p/kWh, gas roughly 5–8 p/kWh; actual contracts vary), here are example annual costs: GOV.UKOffice for National Statistics

• Office, mixed-fuel (say 90 kWh/m² electricity, 90 kWh/m² gas):
  £22.50–£27.00 for electricity + £4.50–£7.20 for gas ≈ £27–£34 per m².
• Factory (28 kWh/m² electricity, 72 kWh/m² gas):
  £5.60–£8.40 + £3.60–£5.76 ≈ £9–£14 per m².
• Warehouse (illustrative BEES mix 53 kWh/m² electricity, 41 kWh/m² gas):
  £10.60–£15.90 + £2.05–£3.28 ≈ £13–£19 per m².
• Hospitality (168 kWh/m² electricity, 296 kWh/m² gas):
  £33.60–£50.40 + £14.80–£23.68 ≈ £49–£74 per m².

These are benchmarks not quotes; procurement timing, load profile, standing charges and Climate Change Levy all move the final bill.

The collective bill for UK businesses

In 2022, non-domestic buildings used about 122 TWh of electricity and 156 TWh of gas in England and Wales. At the broad price ranges above, that implies an economy-wide annual energy spend on buildings on the order of £32–£49bn. (Electricity total inferred from ND-NEED’s cumulative table showing 122 TWh; gas total explicitly ~156 TWh.) GOV.UK+1

What this means for action

• Target the big hitters in each building: offices focus on HVAC, ICT and lighting; factories on process heat and compressed air; warehouses on heating and lighting; hospitality on kitchens, hot water and long hours. BEES end-use splits back this up. GOV.UK
• Expect quick wins from controls and scheduling. Government surveys consistently find strong savings potential from better controls, lighting upgrades and metering. GOV.UK
• Measure by meter, manage by m². Track kWh/m² by site and normalise for hours and occupancy so you can compare buildings fairly and prioritise the worst performers. ND-NEED shows intensity has been falling over time, so continuous benchmarking matters. GOV.UK

Sources

• ND-NEED 2024 report and data: median intensities by building use; consumption totals; size-intensity effects. GOV.UK+1
• BEES Overarching Report 2014-15: sector medians, office and retail intensities, end-use breakdowns and savings potential. GOV.UK+1
• DESNZ Quarterly Energy Prices/ONS analysis: non-domestic price context 2024-25. GOV.UK

Using indicative 2024-25 non-domestic price ranges from DESNZ/ONS (electricity roughly 20–30 p/kWh, gas roughly 5–8 p/kWh; actual contracts vary), here are example annual costs: GOV.UKOffice for National Statistics

• Office, mixed-fuel (say 90 kWh/m² electricity, 90 kWh/m² gas):
£22.50–£27.00 for electricity + £4.50–£7.20 for gas ≈ £27–£34 per m².

• Factory (28 kWh/m² electricity, 72 kWh/m² gas):
£5.60–£8.40 + £3.60–£5.76 ≈ £9–£14 per m².

• Warehouse (illustrative BEES mix 53 kWh/m² electricity, 41 kWh/m² gas):£10.60–£15.90 + £2.05–£3.28 ≈ £13–£19 per m².

• Hospitality (168 kWh/m² electricity, 296 kWh/m² gas):
£33.60–£50.40 + £14.80–£23.68 ≈ £49–£74 per m².
These are benchmarks not quotes; procurement timing, load profile, standing charges and Climate Change Levy all move the final bill.

The collective bill for UK businesses

In 2022, non-domestic buildings used about 122 TWh of electricity and 156 TWh of gas in England and Wales. At the broad price ranges above, that implies an economy-wide annual energy spend on buildings on the order of £32–£49bn. (Electricity total inferred from ND-NEED’s cumulative table showing 122 TWh; gas total explicitly ~156 TWh.) GOV.UK+1
What this means for action

• Target the big hitters in each building: offices focus on HVAC, ICT and lighting; factories on process heat and compressed air; warehouses on heating and lighting; hospitality on kitchens, hot water and long hours. BEES end-use splits back this up. GOV.UK

• Expect quick wins from controls and scheduling. Government surveys consistently find strong savings potential from better controls, lighting upgrades and metering. GOV.UK

• Measure by meter, manage by m². Track kWh/m² by site and normalise for hours and occupancy so you can compare buildings fairly and prioritise the worst performers. ND-NEED shows intensity has been falling over time, so continuous benchmarking matters. GOV.UK

Sources
• ND-NEED 2024 report and data: median intensities by building use; consumption totals; size-intensity effects. GOV.UK+1
• BEES Overarching Report 2014-15: sector medians, office and retail intensities, end-use breakdowns and savings potential. GOV.UK+1
• DESNZ Quarterly Energy Prices/ONS analysis: non-domestic price context 2024-25. GOV.UK

 

Modern buildings depend on technology to stay efficient, safe, and comfortable. At the heart of this is the Building Management System (BMS) — a centralised platform that controls and monitors key services such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and security.

While a typical BMS provides oversight of building operations, it often lacks the detailed energy data needed to drive real efficiency. That’s where Elcomponent’s advanced energy management systems come in.

What is a Building Management System?

A Building Management System (BMS) is a computer-based control system installed in buildings to manage mechanical and electrical services. Typical components of a BMS include:

• HVAC control – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
• Lighting control – Ensuring efficient use of natural and artificial lighting.
• Power systems – Monitoring of electrical supply and distribution.
• Fire and security systems – Safety monitoring and alerts.
• Plumbing and water systems – Pressure, flow, and usage monitoring.

A BMS provides building operators with a centralised platform to improve comfort, reduce downtime, and maintain safety. However, when it comes to energy, it often only scratches the surface.

Why Integrate Energy Management Systems with a BMS?

A BMS alone does not always deliver the granular energy data required for businesses to make informed decisions about consumption and cost reduction. By integrating Elcomponent’s energy monitoring systems, organisations gain:

• Granular Insights – Sub-metering and advanced data capture reveal exactly where and how energy is being used.
• Cost Visibility – Pinpoint areas of waste, enabling precise cost allocation and savings.
• Sustainability Tracking – Monitor carbon footprint and measure progress towards ESG targets.
• Real-Time Monitoring – Live data allows faster responses to inefficiencies or system faults.
• Scalability – Expand monitoring across multiple buildings or nationwide estates.

This integration transforms a standard BMS into a complete energy management solution.

Elcomponent’s Approach to Energy Management Installation

We work with organisations to ensure that our energy management installation complements existing infrastructure. Our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with incumbent BMS platforms, ensuring minimal disruption while delivering maximum insight.

Elcomponent provides:
• Flexible Sub-Metering Options – Installed across lighting, HVAC, process loads, and more.
• Automated Data Capture – Feeding directly into your BMS or standalone energy management software.
• Custom Reporting Dashboards – Giving teams clear, actionable insights.
• Long-Term Support – Ensuring your system continues to perform at its best.

Complete Energy Management Solutions

With over 40 years of expertise, Elcomponent helps businesses turn their Building Management Systems into powerful energy monitoring systems that drive efficiency and reduce costs.

Whether you’re looking to enhance an existing BMS, install new monitoring technology, or build a comprehensive energy management solution, our systems provide the clarity and insight needed to take control of your energy usage.

Contact Elcomponent today to discuss how our energy management systems can integrate with your BMS to deliver deeper insights and stronger cost savings.

The UK government has set a legally binding commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It’s one of the most ambitious environmental targets in the world—designed to combat climate change, reduce environmental impact and shift the economy towards low-carbon growth. But while this is a national commitment, the path to net zero will be driven largely by action at the business level.

Understanding the 2050 Net Zero Target

Net zero by 2050 means that the UK must remove as much greenhouse gas from the atmosphere as it emits. Achieving this requires sweeping change across all sectors of the economy—from how we produce energy and move goods, to how we heat buildings and manufacture products.

To get there, the government has set out a series of interim milestones, including a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a 78% cut by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. These targets are not just policy ambitions—they’re legally enforceable under the Climate Change Act, and they create a framework within which businesses will be expected to operate.

What This Means for UK Businesses

For businesses, the implications are far-reaching. Hitting these national goals will require companies of all sizes to:

• Reduce direct and indirect emissions across their operations, supply chains and product lifecycles.
• Invest in energy efficiency—upgrading equipment, switching to low-carbon heating systems, improving building insulation and implementing smart energy monitoring.
• Shift to renewable energy sources, either through on-site generation, procurement of green tariffs or participation in energy markets.
• Electrify fleets and logistics, replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with electric alternatives.
• Improve transparency and reporting, using frameworks such as TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) and aligning with ISO standards like ISO 50001 for energy management.

Failure to act will not only increase the cost of compliance down the line, but may also put businesses at risk of reputational damage, supply chain exclusion and loss of investor interest.

ESG and Stakeholder Pressure

There’s also growing pressure from investors, customers and employees. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance is now a key consideration in procurement, funding, recruitment and brand loyalty.
As public and private sector organisations align with net zero targets, they are looking to work only with suppliers and partners that can demonstrate environmental responsibility and data-backed action. Businesses without clear sustainability plans are likely to fall behind.

The Role of Energy Monitoring and Data

One of the most critical tools in the journey to net zero is energy data. Without accurate measurement, it is impossible to manage or improve performance.
Companies like Elcomponent play a key role in helping businesses achieve these goals. By delivering advanced energy monitoring solutions—including smart sub-metering, LoRaWAN technology and MW2 software—Elcomponent enables businesses to track, analyse and reduce energy use across multiple sites.

These systems provide the visibility needed to make informed decisions, report progress transparently and meet the requirements of both internal ESG strategies and external frameworks like ISO 50001 and SECR.
The 2050 net zero target is more than a government initiative—it’s a nationwide transformation that depends on every sector playing its part. For UK businesses, this means embracing sustainability not as a cost, but as a strategic opportunity.

Those that invest now in energy efficiency, carbon reduction and clear reporting will be well positioned to thrive in the low-carbon economy. Those that delay risk being left behind.

The future is net zero. The time to act is now.