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Plug load management is a measurable conservation resource. BERT gives your program the documentation, data, and technical support it needs to evaluate plug load control: device-level metering, a measured baseline, and savings reported against it.

Facilities staff reviewing energy data on a tablet in a school hallway

What BERT Is

Device-Level Measurement and Control

BERT controllers (plug-in and inline) measure and switch individual devices and circuits, and report their energy data to BERTBrain software.

BERT alongside a building automation system

Standalone or Alongside a BAS

BERT runs on its own by default, with no building automation system changes required. It can also link to a BAS through BERT Connect when a project includes it.

Outbound-Only Connection

Every connection starts at the BERTBrain Gateway, and its internet connections are outbound only, so there are no inbound ports to open.

The Numbers, Stated Plainly

About a third

of U.S. commercial building electricity goes to plug and process loads (NREL, 2013).

Up to about 50%

savings on the devices BERT controls.

About 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.

How Savings Are Calculated

BERT's methodology is built to support the documentation program administrators and implementers need to evaluate, approve, and track a plug load measure.

Baseline. After installation, BERT recommends a 30- or 45-day measured baseline of uncontrolled operation before schedules activate. Controlled operation is then compared against it. Control can also start right away on the customer's schedules; the baseline is what provides the measured before-and-after comparison.
Methodology. Informed by ASHRAE Standards 100 and 211, the IPMVP, ASHRAE Guideline 14, and DOE FEMP M&V guidance. The program or responsible party sets the formal M&V approach for each project; BERT supplies the data and technical support.
Data. Each controller reports to BERTBrain every 30 seconds by default. Energy savings and cost savings are reported separately, and fixed utility charges are never counted as savings.

See How We Calculate Savings →

BERTBrain savings report showing energy saved, cost saved, reduction and CO₂ avoided

Documentation

Our Savings & M&V Methodology page summarizes the method. The complete Savings Calculation & M&V Support Methodology and the baseline interpretation method are available to program reviewers on request. Product specifications are on our Products and Software pages.