Plug and process loads (PPLs), the equipment that plugs in or is hardwired outside a building's central HVAC and lighting systems, are a major, under-managed share of commercial building energy use. NREL estimates PPLs at about a third of commercial building electricity (NREL, 2013). Unlike central HVAC and lighting, most PPLs have no building-wide control strategy at all, which is exactly where the practices below come in.

Up to ~50%
savings on the devices BERT controls.
~7–10%
typical savings on whole-facility electricity.

Your savings depend on how many devices we control, what they are, and when your building is empty.

This guide gives facility, energy and IT teams an overview of current PPL reduction strategies and the technology categories available, plus where to go for further reading.

Championing Change: PPL Reduction Strategies

A dedicated internal "champion" (a person or small team who advocates for changes to a building's energy-use patterns and policies) is one of the strongest foundations for a successful PPL program. Integrating PPL management into the building's day-to-day routine, rather than treating it as a one-time project, is what gives it a lasting impact.

A walkthrough assessment of the building's current equipment and devices typically comes next. This lets stakeholders see how energy is being used on a granular, device-by-device level, and determine which changes and control strategies make sense for that building.

Building a business case (the expected savings, the devices in scope and the plan for schedules and approvals) completes the groundwork for a PPL reduction strategy.

Basic Strategies for PPL Reduction

General strategies that apply across a building:

  • Replacing inefficient equipment with energy-efficient devices.
  • Taking advantage of low-power and sleep modes already built into equipment.
  • Consolidating devices to eliminate redundant loads.
  • Scheduling software updates during regular business hours rather than leaving devices on overnight for them.

Device-Specific Strategies

More targeted guidance for common PPL categories:

  • Workstations and computers. Lower-wattage options such as laptops, LCD monitors, LED task lights and VoIP phones reduce baseline draw before any control strategy is even applied.
  • Printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines. Consolidating to fewer multifunction devices instead of many single-purpose ones cuts the number of devices drawing power around the clock.
  • Small-scale food areas. Specifying the most energy-efficient appliances available for break rooms and kitchenettes.
  • Conference rooms. Energy-efficient equipment throughout, with a control strategy that switches off projectors, TVs, monitors and lights when the room isn't in use.
  • Refrigeration, vending and similar always-on equipment. Replace old units and remove ones that aren't used regularly; for units holding non-perishable products, or empty ones, scheduled control is an option.

The Importance of PPL Education

A control strategy only works as well as the people around it understand it. Employees who don't understand why a PPL program exists are less likely to maintain it or follow its rules. Helping employees understand the plan supports its long-term success:

  • Regular email and other communications about the program.
  • Short training materials or videos.
  • Simple signage — reminder stickers on devices, for example.

PPL Control Strategies: Technology

Four general technology categories are available for controlling PPL energy consumption:

  • Smart outlets. Wireless metering and control for individual plug-in devices. BERT's Smart Plug 110 AP is an example of this category.
  • Advanced power strips. Power strips that let building occupants turn connected devices off and on at will, beyond a simple on/off switch.
  • Automatic receptacle controls. Outlets installed as part of a building's electrical design, with automatic control based on a schedule or occupancy. BERT's Wall Outlet 110 WO (preliminary, coming late Q4 2026) is designed for this category. BERT's Inline controllers provide permanently installed control for hardwired equipment.
  • Integrated controls. A less common, more centralized approach that works alongside other building systems — lighting and HVAC — to monitor and manage energy consumption from one place. BERT Connect (BACnet/IP) is this category's bridge to a building automation system, when your project includes it.

Other Considerations

During the design phase of a new building, or during a renovation, a few things are worth keeping in mind:

  • Estimating PPL capacity accurately. It's commonly overestimated, which wastes energy-infrastructure resources sized for a usage pattern that doesn't materialize.
  • Specifying process loads (not just plug loads) that are as efficient as possible from the start.

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