Utopi MEP Lunch & Learn.

January 31st saw Utopi host our first virtual Lunch & Learn of 2024. Dedicated to the MEP community, our CTO and Co-Founder, Falk Bleyl, discussed metering solutions, data acquisition and how value engineering can affect building performance.

Seeing some familiar faces on the call, and lots of new faces, it was great to engage with such an integral community in the design, construction, and property sector.

We’ve broken down some of the key topics covered in the session, and if you want to see the Lunch & Learn recording – make sure to follow us on Youtube and see it, here.

Topic 1. Cost versus Data-Driven Design.

With a disconnect in the industry between construction and operations, and their opposing needs pre-build and during design, versus through to operationalising assets. That disconnect tends to come in the way of costs for installation, versus what will help when the asset is built. The session covered how Utopi truly believe that data, cost and usability should not be a trade off on performance. Getting the right quality data out of a building, if done right, does not have to mean huge cost. In fact, it can mean quite the opposite in time.

Topic 2. Why Data Acquisition is Key.

The session covered Pearson’s Law – The idea that when performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of performance accelerates. And the same goes for design and construction.

Another side of this ‘why’ that was discussed, included:

• Utility Costs: Utility costs have increased significantly in recent years, and if you can find the right solutions to monitor, measure and react to utility usage in real time, you can reduce waste and save on operational costs.
• Scope 3 Emissions: Specifying the right metering solutions from the beginning can allow investors, asset managers, developers and operators the chance to make data-driven decisions; and unlike most, have clear proof of scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions too.

Topic 3. Metering Solutions and their Benefits / Draw Backs.

We’ll let the slides do the talking here!

See the main 5 metering solutions covered in the session, with red text being their limitations and green being their benefits:

Topic 4. Strategic vs Tactical Design.

There will always be strains in any design process, and of course cost can be a big one early on in the design process. However, if metering requirements are considered with relation to electrical circuit design, with regards to consumer units, water pipe considerations for hot / cold water metering; all these things can mean more data when the building is operational AND more ability to reduce overheads. Data has to be the beginning point, and if you can make design choices to enable real-time, granular data acquisition, then the ability to analyse consumption and performance becomes far more simple. So the question is, are you designing buildings based on strategic or tactical design benefits?

For example, some Utopi findings have included:

• A Building Management System was found to be installed in a Commercial asset, but no one knew where it was in the building or how to get the data out of it. So, the intention for data collection and operational efficiency was there, but data wasn’t being used in the valuable way it can be. It was a tactical design choice, that has therefore meant a breakdown in data and performance in the future.
• It is common in PBSA assets to find multiple cluster apartments working off the same electrical circuit, rather than a circuit per room. This means that when it comes to collecting and analysing data at a granular level, it’s close to impossible and can be inaccurate. It is a known sign of value engineering on site, and tactical design, but where strategic design would have greatly benefitted the asset’s performance when operational.

Topic 5. The Utopi Solution. 

Utopi try to ease the burden of these design woes, and solve problems for all stakeholders along the value chain in the property sector. So whether its strategic or tactical design choices being made, our solutions are low cost, low impact on install, and will always make data collection, analysis and engagement a simple task.

For the M&E community specifically – Utopi offer meter installation which is quicker, less risky, easier to trouble shoot, more capable and cost effective to install than other metering solutions.

A special thanks to all our attendees, and to our host Falk Bleyl.