Roof Top Unit Monitoring
Sensors,
Meters, and Apps
Rooftop air conditioners and heat pumps consume half of commercial energy spending, while being the most neglected mechanical systems, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Monitoring these units ensures they are energy efficient and reliable.
Roof top unit (RTU) monitoring can be as simple as measuring electricity use for the unit and outdoor temperature. Doing so provides insight into how often it runs and the energy costs. Plus, this basic setup can show if the RTU is not responding to changes in temperature or schedules. Changes in power consumption that could point out maintenance needs. Scheduling equipment service is better than emergency repairs.
The graph above shows outdoor temperature (the scale on the right) dipping during the night, and the RTU cycling on about eight times per hour to keep an even temperature. Notice that power usage during the day is more continuous.
Advanced RTU Monitoring
RTU monitoring could also be more complex, to deal with larger facilities or multiple locations and units. The approach could involve thermostat integration, temperature sensors in the supply and return ducts, advanced reporting and alerts, maintenance logs, and multi-unit ratings.
Advanced reports and alerts options include:
- Supply and return temperature differential
- Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 report
- Mechanical failure alerts
- Economizer failure alerts
- Maintenance reminder alert
- kWh / day report for RTUs
- Enterprise RTU Performance Exception Report
- Thermostat override report
SiteSage Roof Top Unit Application
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SiteSage can report on RTU costs overall, during business hours, and after hours.
Click the top right arrows to advance through slides.
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SiteSage provides informative RTU reports and comparisons across multiple locations.
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This graph reports on RTU supply and return temperatures, power use, and outside temperature.
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This graph shows thermostat set-points, room temperature, and RTU power use.
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Easily schedule maintenance with text or email alerts for equipment runtimes. The SiteSage application tracks and reports on mechanical system operation.
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Easily track alerts for RTUs and other equipment by location.
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SiteSage can generate a list of RTUs needing maintenance based on a defined number of alerts and temperature thresholds.
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SiteSage can report on how many times RTU thermostats were manually changed (overridden). The number of times and total hours in override can suggest changes to setpoints or schedules.
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SiteSage tracks alerts over time, as well as the type of alert triggered.
SiteSage Package
- SiteSage electricity meter, Gateway, CTs x 2 or 3 for to measure HVAC electricity use
- Residential app or commercial app with advanced reporting, alerts, and maintenance records
- Outside temp based on ZIP Code or outside temperature sensor
inView Package
- inPower electricity meter, gateway, enclosure, CTs x 2 or 3 for to measure HVAC electricity use
- inView software
- Outside temperature sensor
Upgrade Options
- Airflow sensor
- Monitor additional electrical circuits or panels
- Relative humidity and temperature sensor
- Supply and return temperature sensors
- Thermostat
Are you interested in energy-efficient and reliable RTUs?
Call +1-207-370-6517 or use our contact form.
Contact PowerWiseRelated Pages
- Energy Management Systems
- Demand Charges
- Heating and Cooling
- SiteSage Energy Management
- SiteSage Thermostat
Easily see operating costs by RTU, plus report on costs during operating hours and after hours.
About PowerWise
PowerWise is a proven innovator of monitoring and control technology.
