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Circuit-Level Energy Metering Multifamily – Technical Guide

CEDA_Tech Guide_Circuit-Level Metering MF_ADA_v4-2

Introduction

Multifamily buildings often present complex energy management challenges due to varied tenant behavior, diverse appliance use, and unit-by-unit load variability. While energy management systems (EMS) can track whole-building performance, they typically lack the insight needed to identify specific inefficiencies within individual circuits or end uses. Circuit-level energy metering addresses this gap by providing real-time, circuit-specific data across key systems and appliances.

This granular visibility enables owners and operators to pinpoint energy-intensive systems, better understand load patterns, and make informed decisions about operational improvements or energy-saving measures. According to ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager DataTrends analysis, commercial buildings that leverage data to target energy use achieve an average of 2.4% in energy cost savings compared to those without detailed monitoring systems. 1

By moving beyond whole-building snapshots, circuit-level metering empowers multifamily buildings to adopt more responsive and strategic energy management practices—essential for meeting modern performance and decarbonization goals.

What Is the Measure?

Circuit-level energy metering is a technology that captures real-time energy use data from individual electrical circuits within a building. This enables granular tracking of specific end-uses at
the unit level in multifamily buildings. Some examples of specific end-uses to monitor are lighting, domestic hot water (DHW), HVAC, and plug loads. The core components of a circuit-level metering system typically include:

Current Transducers (CTs): Sensors installed on individual circuits within an electric panel to measure the current consumed by each circuit at a high frequency, ideally one-minute intervals. To ensure an accurate measure, CTs scale down the high currents to a lower value, also ensuring safer monitoring.
Electrical Meter: Aggregates the current data and calculates power to provide information about the meter’s energy use.
Gateway or Data Logger: Transmits the data to a cloud-based platform or in some cases, an EMS for processing and visualization.

An alternative to traditional circuit-level metering is the use of smart panels. These panels incorporate metering components directly into the electrical panel, streamlining installation and reducing the need for additional hardware. Unlike conventional systems that require separate sensors for each circuit, smart panels have these monitoring capabilities built in.

Circuit-level metering enables stakeholders (owners, operators, and designers), to understand where energy is used and identify inefficiencies. Using this data to make informed decisions about design, equipment selection, tenant engagement, and long-term energy strategies.

How It Works

Circuit-level metering follows a straightforward process that turns raw data into actionable insights. This is achieved through:

Data Collection: Circuit-level metering hardware, such as CTs or smart panels, are installed to monitor energy use. These devices capture real-time data on specific end-use loads like lighting. DHW and plug loads.
Data Transmission: The metering hardware connects to a gateway or the cloud, transmitting the data to a centralized platform or, in some cases, an EMS.
Data Processing & Insight: Once collected, the energy data is organized and visualized through software platforms. These platforms can help identify usage trends and patterns, such as consistently high loads or abnormal energy spikes.
Decision-Making & Action: With clear, detailed insights, building operators or owners can make informed decisions. For example, they might encourage behavioral changes* or integrate with an EMS to automate system responses.
Outcome: By acting on circuit-level insights, buildings can achieve reduced energy consumption, lower operating costs, and improved demand response (DR) capabilities – ultimately reducing strain on the grid.

*Similar to adjusting appliance use during peak hours.

When to Consider This Measure

All-electric and decarbonized buildings rely entirely on the grid for their energy needs. Because grid energy availability can fluctuate, especially during peak demand periods, it’s important for these buildings to understand how and where their energy is being used. Circuit-level metering provides that visibility, enabling building owners and operators to identify high-usage areas and shift energy use patterns. This not only reduces strain on the grid but also helps ensure energy is available for critical building functions when needed.

For buildings aiming to be demand- responsive or grid-interactive, this level of granular data is essential. It supports real-time behavioral or operational adjustments and facilitates deeper energy management strategies.

Ideally, circuit-level metering should be considered during the early design phase, before panel specs are finalized. While it can be retrofitted later, doing so may require additional effort and modifications to the electrical infrastructure. Early integration is typically more cost-effective and ensures smoother implementation.

Cost Considerations

Rough cost estimates can be found in a metering study by NREL 2 and historical pricing observed by the Code Readiness program. Note that installation typically must be performed by a licensed electrician, which can add to the total project cost.

Equipment Selection Considerations

When choosing circuit-level metering equipment, it’s important to consider both the technical requirements and the functional goals of your project. Start by identifying which loads are going to be monitored and how frequently data will need to be collected. This helps determine the number of circuits to monitor.

Next, confirm that the electrical panel has enough physical space to accommodate the selected CTs and data logging hardware. Lastly, choose a communication method that aligns with the building system and data integration needs. These choices will depend on whether the metering system needs to be tied into an EMS or can operate independently.

Pairing Considerations

While circuit-level metering provides detailed, real-time insights into how energy is used within a building, it does not control or respond to the data on its own. That’s where an EMS comes in. An EMS can take circuit-level data and use it to automate building operations, adjusting HVAC schedules, lighting levels, or equipment run times based on real-time demand. Pairing these technologies allows for both high-resolution monitoring and intelligent system control.

This integration also supports DR programs. With circuit-level visibility and EMS automation, buildings can shift or reduce loads during peak periods, helping maintain tenant comfort while improving grid responsiveness and unlocking potential utility incentives.

Circuit-Level Energy Metering Configurations

Circuit-Level Metering with CTs

This is an example of one type of panel-level meter configuration for circuit-level metering. This example shows CTs on each circuit, but configurations can be adjusted to monitor as many or as few circuits as needed.

Circuit-Level Metering with a Smart Panel

These figures illustrate the configuration of a smart panel and the various ways it can connect to the cloud.

What Are the Benefits?

Circuit-level metering supports the advancement of energy efficiency and decarbonization by empowering building stakeholders with the data needed to make informed, impactful decisions. These benefits span tenants, developers and owners, and utilities—ultimately helping to build a smarter, cleaner energy future.

Tenant Benefits

Better visibility into heating and cooling loads can help optimize system performance, improving indoor comfort.
When circuit-level data is made accessible, tenants can better understand their energy use, which encourages conservation and sustainable habits.
Circuit-level data can support more accurate and equitable distribution of energy costs.
Abnormal patterns, such as malfunctioning equipment, can be identified and addressed quickly, therefore reducing energy waste and maintenance delays.

Developers/Owners Benefits

Fair and transparent tenant billing can reduce billing and cost allocation disputes while improving tenant satisfaction and retention.
Offers real-time feedback on energy use that can attract sustainability-minded tenants and serve as a differentiator in competitive rental markets.
Empowers owners to identify energy waste, optimize system operations, and reduce overall energy costs across the property.
Lays the foundation for future energy upgrades, such as integration with battery storage, microgrids, or demand response programs.

Utility Benefits

Offers the capability to provide critical visibility into behind-the-meter loads, helping utilities assess how multifamily buildings affect grid performance.
Access to granular load data supports demand response strategies, allowing utilities to better manage peak periods and reduce grid strain.
Can deliver the granular data needed to inform building codes, efficiency standards, and statewide decarbonization efforts.

What Are the Challenges/Constrains?

Should be integrated early into the design process to mitigate costs and separate loads for more targeted monitoring.
Requires education and training on software operation.
May require larger or additional electric panels to accommodate circuit-level metering equipment since older panels may pose integration and/or space challenges.
Requires clear policies and consent when sharing detailed energy data with tenants or the utility to address privacy concerns.

What Are the Qualifications for CEDA Inducements?

For a project to be eligible for circuit-level metering inducements, it must be a multifamily building that meets the following requirements:

Be located within the SCE, SoCal Gas, PG&E or
SDG&E territory
Enrolled in CEDA
Conduct branch monitoring on specific end use circuits inside each tenant unit specifically targeting:
‐ Kitchen appliances
‐ Heating and cooling systems
‐ Hot water heaters
‐ Lighting
‐ Household equipment
Install a gateway to upload to collect data and connect to the EMS and/or cloud with the ability to be connected with and shared with the utility in real time
Provide equipment submittals stamped and approved by the responsible engineer of record
Provide equipment-cost information
Participate in on-site verification
Participate in equipment data collection effort if selected

Notes:

Project may be selected by PG&E for a future case study
Measure requirements are subject to change; this guide reflects information available as of July 2025—for the most current measure requirements, contact CEDA@willdan.com

Contact us today to enroll and build resiliency into your project.

Resources:

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