Understanding your load chart
The load chart is your primary tool for energy analysis. It displays your building’s power consumption (measured in kilowatts) over time with 15-minute precision.
Each peak and valley tells a story about your building’s operation. A well-run building shows consistent patterns:
- Sharp morning startup around 5-6 AM
- Steady daytime operation
- Clean shutdown to base load by 7-8 PM
- Flat, minimal usage overnight and weekends
Inconsistent patterns indicate opportunities. For example, a spike at midnight may be a result of equipment running when it shouldn’t be. Gradual increases in baseloads may be caused by degrading performance or equipment not shutting off when it should be.
Helpful Hint: After a month of daily Load Chart reviews, you’ll instinctively recognize your building’s “personality.” It becomes easier to spot problems and address small things before they have a big impact.
Daily summary statistics
Below your load chart, you’ll find your building’s key daily metrics:
Key metrics explained
| Metric | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Use (kWh) | Total daily energy consumption | Tracks efficiency trends |
| Demand Peak (kW) | Highest 15-minute usage | Drives 40-60% of electric bill |
| Excess Off-Hours (kWh) | Energy waste during closed periods | Immediate savings opportunity |
| Start Time | When building began operating | Validates schedule optimization |
| Shutdown Time | When usage dropped to base load | Confirms proper shutdown |
Variance percentages show how today compares to expected. Negative variance in usage = good (saving energy). Positive variance in off-hours excess = bad (wasting energy).