A recent article published in Energy Engineering by the Association of Energy Engineers touts the benefits of data loggers for monitoring building systems, from HVAC to lighting. Unlike manual “spot check” data gathering, twenty-four-hour logging systems can track activity on a round-the-clock basis, generating more thorough reports over longer periods of time. As the cost of these loggers continues to drop, the article points out, they are becoming an increasingly effective way to manage building systems.
The articles authors—Gregg Daly and Hugh Flye of Onset Computer Corp. in Massachusetts—examined loggers for a variety of building systems including climate control, lighting, on/off machinery cycles, and power usage. Below is a summary of the types of loggers and their benefits as outlined in the article as well as some recommended features to look for when purchasing loggers.
Types of loggers and their benefits
Temperature loggers:
- Monitor changes in building temperature.
- Verify nighttime temperature setback strategies.
- Monitor air handler temperature fluctuations.
- Analyze gradient temperature changes.
- Monitor equipment operating temperatures.
- Compare outdoor conditions to indoor comfort levels.
- Assess operating temperatures of motors.
Motor/Compressor cycling loggers:
- Monitor the run times of motors, fans, and compressors.
- Detect improper shutdowns or peak usage periods.
Electric light usage loggers:
- Determine power consumption of buildings for baseline studies
- Record how often electric lighting is being used.
- Analyze peak hours and periods of non-usage.
Power usage loggers:
- Track overall power consumption and usage.
- Gather power usage data over extended, uninterrupted periods of time.
- Detect events such as power spikes, surges, and fluctuations.
Air quality loggers:
- Detect air balance problems by monitoring temperature readings for supply and return vents.
- Track carbon dioxide levels and relative humidity information.
- Monitor air quality of hard-to-reach places.
- Compare indoor and outdoor air quality.
- Identify energy saving opportunities in over-ventilated spaces.
Some features to look for when purchasing loggers
- Ease of use. Loggers should be user-friendly, easy to set up, and able to activate and off-load data.
- Size. Loggers should be small, portable, and easy to install in hard-to-reach locations.
- Self-powered. Self-powered loggers can be placed in locations where electricity is not readily available.
- Flexibility. Loggers should be modifiable so that users can define reading intervals, select external sensors, and customize data easily.
- Durability. Loggers should be designed for rugged indoor and outdoor use.
- Technical Support. Purchase loggers from a manufacturer that provides prompt, informative, and useful answers to your questions.
- Comprehensive software. Logger software should be easy to use. Accessibility and customizability are both important.
- Data shuttle capability. Data shuttles are hand-held devices that allow users to remotely off-load and relaunch loggers. Shuttles also hold the data. Not all data loggers are shuttle compatible; however, this is a feature that makes data collection more convenient.
- Cost. Loggers can range in price from less than $100 to more than $1,000. The higher the price, the more features. However, low-cost loggers can work equally well depending on the building system.
For more information about data loggers, contact Onset Computer Corporation at (800) LOGGERS or visit the companys Web site.
Based on a report from ElectricNet.com, originally reported in Energy Engineering.
