Energy, its usage and conservation, is a global priority in these early days of the 21st century, and for good reason. Think about this: in your daily life, where and how do you use energy? When you turn on the light first thing in the morning, you are using electricity. The same goes when you boil the kettle, or put a couple of slices in the toaster! You might cook eggs for breakfast; you could have a gas hob, another form of energy use.
Then you get in your car or take public transport to work. Your car uses petrol or diesel to get it to move, a bus does the same, and a train could be diesel or electric. Energy usage is everywhere around us – and that’s before we get to work!
The workplace, the office, factory or wherever you may work needs to be lit, heated, and have power for the machinery and equipment needed to perform. Energy usage is unavoidable, and this leads us to the subject of measurement and metering.
Why You Need a Meter
The electricity and gas used across the world comes primarily from two main fuel sources: coal and oil. Both of these are running out as they are not being replaced. They are ancient substances formed a long, long time ago, and once they are gone they are gone. This is one reason we need to be efficient with our energy use, as the less we use, the longer we have access to these fossil fuels.
There are alternative power sources in use and in development; many new-built homes and commercial buildings are now fitted with solar panels, wind power is popular in many countries, and the tidal energy from the sea is another area with potential. Each of these, however, costs money, which is another reason you need a meter. An energy meter is designed to tell you how much you are using, and how much that energy will cost you. Modern smart meters can help you keep your energy costs at a minimum, and can save you a lot of money, both in the home and in commercial and industrial premises.
Installing an Electric Energy Meter
Before we go on, there’s one thing we should say: unless you are qualified and have the necessary knowledge and experience, you should never tackle electrical jobs. Electricity is a powerful force and can be dangerous, so it is always sensible to call in the experts from Powerpoint Engineering. There are many different types of electric energy meters, and you will be able to find someone who understands the one you need, and who knows exactly how it should be installed in your set up.
An electricity meter is intended to give you an accurate measurement of the energy you are using, the key word here being accurate. All measuring devices, be they manual, mechanical or digital, need to be calibrated for accuracy every now and then, as they have a tendency to drift from their original starting point. If a meter is not measuring from a true zero point, for example, it will not return accurate results.
Calibration needs to be done by an expert in the field, and there are many who are highly trained in calibrating a wide range of different measuring devices and meters. Even the smallest inaccuracy in measuring can lead to wasted energy and increased costs – especially in an industrial or commercial building – so get in touch with the experts now, and get them to install your electric energy meters accurately and with confidence.