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The resources we consume at home comprise a large share of our total carbon footprint, and reducing the wastage of resources over time can compound into a big difference. Monitoring utilities manually can not only be difficult to monitor but also costly and difficult to make changes. Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever to monitor our usage, with smart meters offering near real-time insights into the consumption of utilities such as water and energy. When observing utility usage on a monthly scale and sometimes quarterly, it can be hard to tell the impact that switching off a light or showering for a shorter time can have on your total usage. By bypassing the need for manual readings, smart meters can show residents the impact their actions have, and encourage and inform sustainable behaviours.
We’ll be exploring some of the key features of smart metering, the benefits of smart metering for residents, strata managers and developers, as well as Altogether’s approach to smart metering.
Smart meters provide many benefits for stakeholders involved in utility management, including residents, strata managers, and developers.
Unlike traditional meters that can keep residents in the dark on their energy and water usage behaviours, smart meters provide detailed insights into consumption patterns that can help users understand their usage habits and identify areas where they can conserve resources. By monitoring utility consumption in near real-time, residents can learn how to adjust their usage to avoid peak rates and reduce overall utility costs, which can lead to significant savings on monthly bills. Additionally, as they have the potential to provide alerts for unusual usage, residents can be informed when there are leaks or appliance malfunctions. This early detection can allow for prompt resolutions that can prevent costly repairs, as well as utility wastage.
For strata managers, smart meters simplify the billing process by consolidating data from multiple units and utilities into a single platform. Streamlining invoicing and reducing administrative overhead can save strata managers both time and money. As smart meters offer enhanced accuracy, they minimise disputes from residents regarding utility charges, making management easier by reducing misunderstandings and unnecessary complaints. Additionally, as smart meters offer to monitor usage trends across the community, utilities can be proactively maintained to reduce downtime and ensure consistent service delivery.
Although they present an upfront cost for a new development that is slightly higher compared to the older “dumb meters” (where they are required to be manually read each time for billing purposes), smart meters can quickly offer a return on investment by increasing property value. This is because properties equipped with smart metering technology are more attractive to potential buyers and tenants as they provide more accurate billing, understanding of consumption behaviours and the ability for residents to reduce their utility costs and provide greater convenience. For developers looking to deliver on sustainability goals, smart metering aligns with green objectives by promoting energy efficiency and responsible resource management. Developers can also use the data collected from smart meters to inform future projects and investments, as understanding consumption patterns can help with the design of efficient buildings that meet the needs of residents.
Embedded energy networks provide the same benefits as traditional networks, but they also have several key advantages through smart metering. Providing real-time data on utility consumption, they enable more accurate billing and help identify areas for potential energy and water savings. Additionally, as they enable communities to consolidate their utility services, embedded networks can reduce wastage and increase overall efficiency. Thanks to improved efficiency and smart management of resources, embedded energy networks can also save customers money. Plus, they allow communities to bulk buy energy, which leads to substantial savings that can be passed onto residents.
Altogether Group has been at the forefront of integrating smart metering solutions within a multi-utility framework, and through the deployment of smart meter technology, we are one of the country’s leading embedded network retailers. Combining metering solutions for electricity, drinking water, and recycled water, this allows for efficient billing and resource management across multiple utilities within a single community. By leveraging community-specific data, we aim to deploy smart metering technology to support the sustainability goals of communities across Australia.
Smart metering offers benefits for residents, strata managers, and developers alike, thanks to automated data collection, near real-time updates, and remote access to consumption data. Communities that are looking to deploy solutions from Altogether Group can integrate smart metering solutions within a multi-utility and Embedded Network framework to support residents whilst also promoting environmental stewardship and reducing living costs.
If you would like to learn more about our smart metering, our embedded networks, or how we can support your community, get in touch with us today.
Why Choose Altogether
At altogether, we deliver reliable, localised essential services to over 500 communities across Australia. From world-leading recycled water systems to efficient embedded energy networks, energy efficient solutions such as solar, battery storage, Electric Vehicle charging solutions in high-rise communities, and smart grids in small communities, we're determined to do the right thing by our customers, and by the planet. As a multi-utility service provider, it’s our mission to make the world a brighter place, and we do that by offering sustainable power, water and data services.
