Measuring means winning

Smart metering infrastructure: from compliance to strategic advantage

Smart metering infrastructure is becoming increasingly important, not only to comply with regulations, but also to reduce energy consumption and costs, improve performance, and support strategic sustainability goals.

At Factor4, we often receive questions about metering infrastructure:

“Is investing in metering infrastructure actually worth it?” or “How do we get started with a monitoring system?”

Regulations are evolving rapidly, and more and more obligations require robust and reliable metering infrastructure. For example, the Energy Performance Certificate for non-residential buildings (EPC NR) is now based on actual measured energy consumption. In some cases, accurate measurement of energy use and the share of renewable energy can even improve a building's energy label and thus helping it meet future regulatory requirements.

There is also the obligation to install a Building Automation and Control System (BACS) for large HVAC systems (>290 kW). Additionally, in the context of sustainability reporting, such as under the CSRD, metering infrastructure is quickly gaining relevance.

But these obligations also create opportunities: those who take the right steps today will reap the benefits tomorrow.

Measuring leads to savings

A well-designed metering infrastructure often delivers more value than expected. Even without expensive technical interventions, simply gaining insight into energy use can lead to savings of 3% to 10%. Consider:

-            Adjusting control parameters

-            Better alignment of control systems

-            Identifying standby consumption or unnecessary peaks

-            Organizational improvements

Phased investments not only lower the threshold to getting started, but also raise awareness within the organization of the value of data and monitoring.

Benefits beyond the energy bill

The real value of measurement lies not only in direct financial returns. Here are additional benefits that are often overlooked:

-            Real-time monitoring of power demand, system efficiency, and load profiles

-            Quick detection of operational anomalies or irregular consumption

-            Benchmarking across buildings or installations

-            More accurate OPEX estimates by installation or department

-            Data-driven investment decisions: substantiating CAPEX vs. OPEX

-            Verification of savings and optimization measures

-            Internal cost allocation and billing support

-            Automated data reporting for various stakeholders

-            Inputs for sustainability reporting (CSRD, EPC NR, carbon footprinting, EU ETS, etc.)

-            Support for maintenance strategies and organizational processes

-            Employee awareness and feedback based on measured data

In short, smart metering enables not only energy savings, but also smarter management, more strategic decision-making, and clearer communication around sustainability.

How Factor4 supports you

At Factor4, we help you do more than simply comply with regulations. We guide organizations step by step in setting up a measurement strategy tailored to their buildings, installations, and ambitions.

Conclusion: Measuring means winning

The real question is not whether measurement pays off, but how to get the most out of it. Smart investments in metering infrastructure lay the foundation for more efficient, sustainable, and well-informed building management. Factor4 supports you, from strategy to implementation.