Here's what you can track in the utilities page, how Backpack interprets that data & how to connect
Definition of Terms
Before we go into detail, to set the stage - here are some terms used below:
- Whole Building Data - data from one or multiple sources that includes all usage of that utility regardless of who manages, pays or owns the accounts. This type of data is often used for Energy Star Scores & Certification (you must have whole building data for gas & electric to be certified) and sustainability consultants who are reporting on the data to owners or using the data for additional certifications like LEED, GRESB, BOMA 360, etc.
- Data - in most cases below "data" is used to reference both usage (kWh, gallons, etc.) and cost (whole cost, taxes and fees, rates)
- Common Area - typically this referencing a situation where the property has multiple meters with only the common area meters (clubhouse, fitness center, lobbies, etc.) are billed to the Backpack owners.
- Aggregate data - usage data only provided by the utility company. This data usually requires approval from the account holder to release either via an online process or a Letter of Authorization (LOA). The utilities team at Backpack is highly knowledgeable about this process and will walk you through the steps to gather this type of information.
- Aggregate data might be issued by the utility on a scheduled timeframe determined by the utility - most often this is monthly or annually, some utilities provide this data quarterly or bi-annually. Your backpack team can help determine how to access this data and the frequency of releases.
- Submeters - Backpack does not bring in data from building submeters at this time. If you are interested in this type of data let us know - talk to your Customer Success Manager or contact our support team so we can better understand the demand and may add this feature in the future.
Data Ingestion
Overview
Backpack can sync this data into the software in multiple ways:
- Direct connection to the utility provider
- Manual input via an CSV upload (template in the software)
- Backpack processing PDF's or a spreadsheet sent to our utilities team at utilities@backpacknetworks.com email
- A combination of the above options
The Details
How all this data gets into Backpack is up to you. Here are the most common methods:- Automated Bill Upload - connection is established with the provider, bills are received and processed by the software. This automation relies on user provider login information shared in the Backpack secure software.
- Manual Upload or Email - PDF or a spreadsheet of utility data is provided by the customer and processed by Backpack. This data can be uploaded in the software or emailed to the Backpack Utilities Team.
- Utility Provided Aggregate - the utility provider sends Backpack Aggregate data in some manner. There are many ways to do this - talk to our team if you have questions. This is typically a multi-use situation or multi-family property.
Details for Each Type of Utility
Utility data for each type of utility tracked in Backpack & ways it can be collected. This list isn't exhaustive even though it might be exhausting! If you don't see your situation covered below, reach out to our team.
Electricity
- Whole building data - typical for single use buildings with no retail & one meter onsite that serves the entire building
- Common Area only - sometimes, especially with multi-family or multi-use properties, your Backpack might include only common area data from bills received directly to the owners/property team. In this instance there is often a need to gather the rest of the data through one of the options below.
- Aggregate data - data for the entire building regardless of use type, often supplied by the utility provider
- Mixture of #2 & 3 Above - If there are multiple types of occupants (also referenced as use types) Backpack can bring in data from common area bills provided by the property team as well as aggregate data from a utility provider (typically tenant data that excludes common area depending on the utility, if it is whole building data then Backpack will adjust to bring in just the right combination of data)
- All of the above + retail tenant data -In rare circumstances, aggregate data isn't available from a utility provider to fill in the data for a building. Or, they won't release it to Backpack directly. In these instances we can work with the building occupants to collect a spreadsheet of usage data or bills - whatever is easiest.
District Heating/Cooling & Steam
- Generally this data is allocated to the building in a form that is easy to bring into the Backpack through PDF submissions.
Gas
- Whole building data - typical for single use buildings with no retail & one meter onsite that serves the entire building
- Common Area only - sometimes, especially with multi-family or multi-use properties, your Backpack might include only common area data from bills received directly to the owners/property team. In this instance there is often a need to gather the rest of the data through one of the options below.
- Aggregate data - data for the entire building regardless of use type, often supplied by the utility provider
- Mixture of #2 & 3 Above - If there are multiple types of occupants (also referenced as use types) Backpack can bring in data from common area bills provided by the property team as well as aggregate data from a utility provider (typically tenant data that excludes common area depending on the utility, if it is whole building data then Backpack will adjust to bring in just the right combination of data)
- All of the above + retail tenant data -In rare circumstances, aggregate data isn't available from a utility provider to fill in the data for a building. Or, they won't release it to Backpack directly. In these instances we can work with the building occupants to collect a spreadsheet of usage data or bills - whatever is easiest.
Water
- Whole building data - typical for single use buildings with no retail & one meter onsite that serves the entire building
- Backpack does not collect sub-metered data at this time
Waste
- Waste Data is comprised of trash, recycling, composting, cardboard recycling, etc.
- Backpack does not sync waste data directly from any providers, instead we give you the tools to estimate waste data in the Backpack. Read more about that in this great article: