FAQs
Short Topics
Sustainability, LEED and the role of Energy Monitoring
Building Commissioning & Energy Monitoring
CALGreen Requirements for Energy Monitoring
Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)
Product FAQ
- Is your product available yet?
- Is the system for commercial and residential applications?
- What is the difference between the Resource Monitor and the Building Optimization System (BOS)?
- What can the system monitor?
- What is included in a basic system?
- What is involved in installation?
- Can I install the Resource Monitor myself in my own home?
- Will Agilewaves carry out the installation of the Building Optimization System (BOS) in my building?
- Is an electrician required to install it?
- Is a plumber required to install it?
- Can I add additional sensors later?
- Do I have to use your sensors?
- Does the system integrate with existing control systems, equipment and BMS?
- Can the system communicate with “smart” meters?
- Can the system tell me the cost and carbon footprint?
- How much does it cost?
- How can I get one?
- Where does my data live?
- Do I own all of my data?
- How long do I keep the data?
- Are there any recurring fees?
- How can I access the information?
- Can the system be implemented in OEM applications?
- I would like to be a dealer partner, how do I get started?
- Is there training available for dealer/installers?
- Who are Agilewaves dealers/installers?
- How much can I really expect to save?
1. Is your product available yet?
A: Yes, it has been successfully installed in multiple residential, commercial, and institutional applications and is available.
2. Is the system for commercial and residential applications?
A: Yes, the system architecture was specifically designed to apply to commercial and institutional projects as well as selected large residential and multi-unit residential installations.
3. What is the difference between the Resource Monitor and the Building Optimization System (BOS)?
A: The Resource Monitor was the first release and is designed for residential and small commercial projects. The BOS builds upon the robust system core and adds functionality and features for the demands of commercial and institutional applications.
4. What can the system monitor?
A: Typically the system monitors electric, water and gas consumption, while also computing overall building performance and carbon footprint. However the flexible system architecture also allows monitoring of solar PV, solar thermal, wind power, indoor air quality, water collection and re-use, performance of green living roofs, indoor/outdoor climate, radiant heat, weather data and more.
5. What is included in a basic system?
A: A basic system is turn-key and includes all the associated sensors, hardware and pre-configured software to monitor main water, main gas, and main electric plus 7 additional individual circuits of your choice (equipment, appliances, lights, sub-panels, etc). This is a suggested system starting point only and the system can easily be refined to monitor additional electric, gas or water points of use, as well as indoor air quality, solar, geo-thermal, green living roofs, climate and more.
6. What is involved in installation?
A: Sensors are mounted and wired back to an Agilewaves Sensor Integration Panel (ASIP). The electrical sensors mount directly in the circuit breaker panel(s), so do not require invasive installation within the home or building. The gas, water and other sensors are installed at their monitoring point and wired back to the nearest ASIP. In some cases, Agilewaves may be able to gather data from existing “communicating” utility meters or equipment, avoiding the need for additional sensors. Wireless is an option, but only used as a last resort.
7. Can I install the Resource Monitor myself in my own home?
A: The Resource Monitor is a highly accurate and robust data acquisition system and is not designed for installation by those without technical expertise. Please contact Agilewaves for dealer/installers in your area, or have your preferred installation contractor contact us.
8. Will Agilewaves carry out the installation of the Building Optimization System (BOS) in my building?
A: No, Agilewaves does not do installations. We provide turn key systems to installation contractors. Agilewaves will provide technicians as needed however, if the project requires it.
9. Is an electrician required to install it?
A: If the system will be monitoring electrical consumption, then an electrician will be required to install electric current sensors and provide reference power to the sensor integration panel.
10. Is a plumber required to install it?
A: If the system will be monitoring water and/or gas flow with individual flow sensors, then a plumber will be required to install the in-line flow sensors. (In some cases however, these may be small sensors that can simply be inserted with threaded fittings and would not require a plumber.)
11. Can I add additional sensors later?
A: Yes. The Resource Monitor System is a highly flexible and extensible system. If you expect future additions, we will work with you on infrastructure requirements and provide a system with additional capacity.
12. Do I have to use your sensors?
A: Agilewaves does not manufacturer its own sensors. Instead, we’ve developed an intelligent and highly flexible system that can receive inputs from any of a number of different kinds of third party sensors. We typically provide a turn-key system that includes the necessary sensors, but installation partners may choose to provide these themselves per the system requirements we provide.
13. Does the system integrate with existing control systems, equipment and BMS?
A: Definitely- we have specifically designed our system architecture with integration in mind. The manufacturer agnostic platform ensures interoperability with different equipment and communication protocols, and we have a growing library of adapters and modules available. In some cases, there may be no additional hardware required for incorporation.
14. Can the system communicate with “smart” meters?
A: Yes- we can receive data from any device that can communicate digitally.
15. Can the system tell me the cost and carbon footprint?
A: Yes. The system automatically calculates both the cost and carbon footprint on each sensor, piece of equipment or entire property.
16. How much does it cost?
A: Agilewaves provides systems and pricing to its dealer/installation partners. Please contact Agilewaves to discuss the scope of work and associated pricing.
17. How can I get one?
A: Agilewaves provides our systems to dealer/installers for sale and installation. Please contact Agilewaves for dealers in your area, or have your preferred contractor contact us. Once the scope of work is determined, we will provide a turn-key, fully configured system with all hardware and software to the contractor for installation, along with all necessary documentation and remote support.
18. Where does my data live?
A: Our system is remote hosted solution which eliminates the need for on-site IT support.
19. Do I own all of my data?
A: Yes. You can view monitored data and reports, as well as download or import the data as you wish.
20. How long do I keep the data?
A: Currently, Resource Monitor keeps over 9 years of data at 5 minute intervals, The richness of the data enables deep analysis of the building performance and efficiency tuning.
21. Are there any recurring fees?
A: If you would like Agilewaves to host your system, there will be hosting fees.
22. How can I access the information?
A: It is a web-based system, so all the collected information can be seen from any web-enabled device, from anywhere in the world.
23. Can the system be implemented in OEM applications?
A: Absolutely. The system can be used in a number of OEM applications ranging from software licensing, to embedded hardware/software, and hosted service solutions. Contact Agilewaves to discuss details.
24. I would like to be a dealer partner, how do I get started?
A: Contact Agilewaves to discuss a pilot project, training and dealer paperwork.
25. Is there training available for dealer/installers?
A: Yes. Agilewaves regularly provides interactive web conference training sessions. Contact Agilewaves to schedule or find out about the next session.
26. Who are Agilewaves dealers/installers?
A: These can be system integration companies, electrical, plumbing or HVAC contractors, home/building performance or solar installation contractors, developers, etc.
27. How much can I really expect to save?
A: Research documents that feedback of energy consumption information drives behavioral efficiencies of 20% or more. We expect that efficiency tuning and our optimization features will drive even more savings.
