Sometimes we fall short in our analysis of energy efficiency, but in many other cases, we are overwhelmed with information that we don’t know how to process or what it’s useful for

Beyond defining what an energy diagnosis or energy monitoring is, I want to share in which cases one or the other —or even both— strategies can be applied to obtain valuable information that helps us make the best decisions for your company or business.

These are some of the most common needs in businesses and companies:

Below are some of the main strategies implemented in the energy field, contextualized according to their specific purposes and benefits:

Updating contract conditions with CFE. To do this, energy consumption and electrical demand data must be obtained to record the maximum demand. This information is essential to update the supply contract and avoid suspension due to demand or installed load excess. Monitoring is recommended for at least seven days, 24 hours a day, during the period of highest production to ensure accurate recorded values.

Detecting abnormal charges on the energy bill. This is a relatively frequent situation. Monitoring energy consumption allows us to gather data on energy and demand consumption, either generally or specifically, depending on where monitoring is carried out. The monitoring duration will depend on habits or consumption patterns —if operations remain constant throughout the month, monitoring for one day, or even a shorter period, may suffice. Otherwise, it’s advisable to monitor high-power equipment for a specific period to confirm the exact consumption where needed.

If you are considering installing a photovoltaic system, both diagnosis and monitoring can be performed. It is suggested to carry out an energy diagnosis if the facility is relatively small, meaning that recording all electrical equipment would take no more than two working days. Otherwise, energy monitoring over seven days will be sufficient to understand your energy requirements and balance them with energy generation. However, if you are subject to charges or bonuses for power factors, energy monitoring is recommended since installing a photovoltaic system will affect this parameter and should be included in your budget.

If you plan to modify your electrical installation, it is advisable to perform an energy diagnosis, which will help you collect detailed information on each installed electrical device. It will also help you recalculate breakers or wiring, and most importantly, it will allow you to balance electrical loads across phases to protect your equipment and prevent interruptions.

Replacing electrical equipment with more efficient ones. This activity involves both conducting an energy diagnosis and performing energy monitoring. First, monitoring helps capture a snapshot of your company’s current conditions and even compare it with your energy bill. Subsequently, the energy diagnosis not only allows you to quantify savings in energy and cost but also helps you identify which specific equipment or areas should be replaced to minimize investment while maximizing efficiency.

Miguel Torres Crisanto, Deputy Director of Promotion and Investment Development, Energy Agency of the State of Puebla.

This article was originally published in the July edition of the Energia Hoy magazine.