Socket vs. Multi-Channel Meters: How to Choose a New Electric Meter
Swap or not? What are the tradeoffs to consider when an old electric meter needs to be replaced?
Meter Matchup: Single- v. Multichannel Meters
If your electric submeters are failing or otherwise past their freshness date, it’s time to start looking for replacements.
But what should you replace that 25-year-old socket meter with? Should you just swap in a new socket meter? Or should you invest in a system upgrade and go multichannel?
Making a good decision about single- vs. multichannel meters can have significant ramifications for your operations. So this week, let’s talk about the differences between these two meter types, the benefits of each, and when we recommend one over the other.
Why Do We (Mostly) Recommend Multichannel Meters?
Multichannel is often the more pragmatic choice for:
1) Space considerations
2) Streamlined costs at scale
Let's flesh this out with an example: A facility that needs 16 meters has to have room for 16 single-channel meters PLUS all the wiring and (possibly) conduit. Alternatively, that facility could install one 16-point multichannel meter, which takes up a lot less space, needs less wiring, is easier/faster to read (because you don’t have to walk from meter to meter) and easier to maintain (one vs many). So while a few socket meters might be cheaper to buy and install than a multichannel meter, the multichannel meter will be cheaper than buying, installing, and maintaining a dozen or more socket meters.
In addition to space constraints and cost at scale, multichannel meters also provide more detailed consumption data per circuit, giving you more insight into trends as well as faster alerts to trouble.
When Are Single-Channel Meters the Better Choice?
Single-channel meters have their place in effective and efficient electric submetering. Here's where they shine:
- Small number of loads to monitor
- No budget for up-front material costs
- Short-term use (e.g., quick M&V)
- Space in the panel/electrical cabinet is ample for the circuits
When Are Multichannel Meters the Way to Go?
The benefits of multichannel meters are multi-fold. Here's where their space-saving, time-saving, larger data collection features are totally worth the money:
- Large, complex facilities with many circuits
- A focus on energy use reduction
- Properties where sellable square footage is at a premium
- Priority is on long-term efficiency and cost savings
- Facilities that want to scale up their energy monitoring
- Space for wiring & siting is constrained
The Bottom Line on Electric Meter Choices: Socket (Single-Channel) vs. Multi-Channel
Single-channel electric meters are great choices for properties with simple setups and billing situations.
Multichannel meters, on the other hand, save on space, installation costs, and maintenance for more nuanced and complicated facilities.
So which meter is right for you depends on your physical setup, budget, and project goals.
If you’re not sure which is the right choice for you and a vendor is pushing you toward one or the other, push back to understand the technical tradeoffs.
A vendor with YOUR best interest at heart should be able to describe precisely why you should choose one type over another. They'll also come out and walk through your site before making a recommendation. Every building is its own special snowflake. Without a clear understanding of how everything is laid out and what you’re trying to achieve, they can’t give good advice.
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Your tenant submetering and energy plant optimization services are an essential part of your operation. You deserve personalized energy insights from a team that knows buildings from the inside out, applies IoT technology and is energized by providing you with accurate data and energy optimization insights. When you need experience, expertise, and service, you need utiliVisor on your side, delivering consistent energy and cost-saving strategies to you. What more can our 45+ years of experience and historical data do for you? Call utiliVisor at 212-260-4800 or visit utilivisor.com
