Verification of consumption data

  • Created:
  • Reference: KBCN1019

Where consumption data has been entered into the BREEAM In-Use Part 2 Energy Calculator, the Assessor must provide evidence to support this and demonstrate its correlation to the assessed area. The consumption figures shall be supported by either corresponding utility bills or verified metered consumption data (or a combination of the two). This means that, for example, simply submitting a spreadsheet containing consumption figures is not compliant, clear demonstration that this has been verified is required.

It is also common that available utility bills may not coincide with the assessed area for an asset, this means that further evidence is required to demonstrate the actual consumption for the assessed area.

Since there are many different methods in which energy data can be monitored (e.g. manual meter readings, Energy Management Systems etc.), the format used when submitting metered consumption data often varies between assessments. This often leads to confusion for Assessors on whether particular evidence meets the requirements.

For these reasons, further clarity has been provided outlining how compliance can be met when neither appropriate utility bills nor verified metered consumption data (undertaken by the Assessor) are available for the assessed area. In these instances, it is possible to strengthen this existing evidence with a verification statement. Please see the following guidance below:

BREEAM In-Use Part 2 Energy (Traditional method)

  1. Clear description of how the consumption data was obtained for each question, e.g. manual reading, automatic reading from a BMS, energy bills, etc.;
  2. Clear description of any calculations carried out to the data before it is entered into the BREEAM In-Use online platform, e.g. energy use determined by subtracting sub-metered data from main meter readings;
  3. Clear reporting of the period the consumption data relates to, i.e. start date and end-date for each consumption figure;
  4. Clear confirmation that the data covers the assessed area only, and is based on metered data, rather than estimations or apportionment.
  5. Such confirmation will be provided and signed from either someone internal to the organisation or the Assessor themselves (see Note below).

BREEAM In-Use Part 2 Energy (Energy Allocation method)

This method is required where the asset does not have consumption data which covers the assessment area only. The asset will need to use the BREEAM In-Use International 2015 Energy Allocation Calculator when completing the Part 2 Energy Category. This can be accessed through the BREEAM In-Use Assessor extranet, or by emailing [email protected]. Within this tool there is full guidance explaining the requirements for this method.

  1. Clear description of how the consumption data was obtained for each row (meter) inserted into the BREEAM In-Use Energy Allocation Calculator Tool, e.g. manual reading, automatic reading from a BMS, energy bills, etc.;
  2. Clear description of any calculation carried out before the data was entered into the BREEAM In-Use Energy Allocation Calculator Tool, e.g. energy use determined by subtracting sub-metered data from main meter readings;
  3. Clear confirmation that the figures within the ‘Total annual consumption (kWh)’ entry within the ‘Consumption Data’ tab (of the Energy Allocation tool) relates to the area outlined in the respective ‘Total area metered (m²)’ cell. This entry must be based on metered data, rather than estimations or apportionment.
  4. Confirmation that the ‘Total annual consumption (kWh)’ entry within the ‘Consumption Data’ tab (of the Energy Allocation Calculator Tool) relates to the associated dates in that row, i.e. start date and end-date;
  5. Such confirmation will be provided and signed from either someone internal to the organisation or the Assessor themselves (see Note below).

Note: Where confirmation is undertaken by someone other than the Assessor, the Assessor must be content that the information is correct, and that the individual has a good understanding of metering systems and of the metering strategy of the particular asset being assessed. This should be clearly outlined within the Assessor comments.

09/10/2019 Change to incorporate introduction of Part 2 Energy Allocation Calculator guidance.