How BERT calculates savings - and proves them

Anyone can publish a percentage. BERT publishes a method: savings are estimated conservatively, measured against a real baseline, and documented so an ESCO, utility or engineer can review them.

The savings, step by step

Each number below is a percentage of something different. Here is how they connect.

≈1/3

of commercial building electricity goes to plug and process loads - higher in workstation-dense spaces.

Up to 50%

reduction in energy used by the devices BERT controls, depending on schedules and equipment.

Off-hours

BERT switches devices off only when they are not needed, and never touches loads that must stay on.

7-10%

of total facility electricity is the planning range for a well-qualified facility.

Plug-load share: NREL, Assessing and Reducing Plug and Process Loads in Office Buildings. Savings ranges are BERT planning ranges, not guarantees, and are validated with site data, device counts, schedules and application review.

Is your facility a strong fit?

The best BERT opportunities combine many controllable devices, long unoccupied periods and meaningful electricity cost. These signals are a good screen:

200 or more likely control opportunities
Occupied less than about 84 hours a week
Existing Wi-Fi and an IT team that can take part
A clear owner of equipment schedules (single or long-term tenant)
Blended electricity rate around $0.11/kWh or higher, where simple payback matters
A utility custom-measure program that may help fund the project

Start with a screening estimate

Share your building types, square footage and operating schedules, and BERT will develop a low / base / high savings range for your portfolio.

Request an estimate

From estimate to verified performance

Savings are refined as better information replaces assumptions.

Screening estimate. Facility type, area, operating schedule, expected control density and a representative equipment mix produce a planning range.
Audit-based estimate. Field-observed device counts, confirmed schedules and documented equipment characteristics replace modeled quantities.
Baseline-referenced savings. After installation, BERT typically measures 30 or 45 days of uncontrolled operation before schedules activate, then compares controlled operation against that baseline.
Formal M&V support, when required. The responsible ESCO, utility program, engineer or third-party M&V provider sets the plan. BERT supplies data and technical support.

Conservative by design

BERT does not count the wattage a device happens to draw at the moment it is switched off. Savings are based on the average energy the device would actually have used during the controlled hours, taken from measured data. Missing data is treated as missing, never as zero. Controller energy, recovery energy (such as charging later) and availability are deducted.

Aligned with recognized standards

The methodology is informed by ASHRAE Standards 100 and 211, the IPMVP, ASHRAE Guideline 14 and DOE FEMP M&V guidance. Energy savings and cost savings are reported separately, and fixed utility charges are never counted as savings.

For ESCOs, utilities and technical reviewers

The complete Savings Calculation & M&V Support Methodology, the baseline interpretation method and supporting reference extracts are available to authorized partners and reviewers. Request the methodology package.

Find the unmanaged energy in your buildings.

Tell us about your facilities and we will size the opportunity: device counts, control hours and a savings range you can take to your team.

Talk to BERT Become a partner