How to compare energy use against another period

Energy comparison shows the energy use of one period side by side with another, so you can see whether the building is using more or less than before.

Energy comparison shows the energy use of one period side by side with another, so you can see whether the building is using more or less than before. Properate works out the Difference between the two periods for you.

The comparison rests on three choices: which meter you are looking at, which period is the main one, and which period you are comparing against.

How to compare two periods

Open the building you want to work on. See How to switch building and search for a building.

Go to Energy > Energy comparison in the sidebar.

Select the main period in the date picker at the top.

Select the resolution from the dropdown: Per hour, Per day, Per week or Per month.

Next to Compared to there is a button showing a date. Click it to choose when the comparison period should start. Either pick a date in the calendar, or use the shortcuts below it: Last year and the two preceding years, each shown with its year number.

The graph now shows both periods. Hover over the graph to read the figures for a single point.

Note: You only choose the start of the comparison period. Its length follows the main period automatically, so if you compare a month, the comparison period is a month too.

Note: The resolution you choose applies to both periods. To compare two months, Per day gives a readable picture; to compare two years, use Per month.

How to choose which meter you are comparing

The Selected meter button in the top right shows which meter the graph is currently using.

Click Selected meter.

In the Active meter dialog, pick the tab that matches what you want to see:

Energy hierarchy — meters as they are structured in the building

Energy sources — split by source, for example electricity and district heating

Energy gauges — the individual meters

Temperature corrected — consumption adjusted for outdoor temperature

Select the meter and close the dialog.

If the meter you need is missing, add it with Add energy meter. See How to add an energy meter.

What is temperature correction?

A building uses more energy in a cold month than in a mild one, without operations having got any worse. Temperature-corrected consumption adjusts for the outdoor temperature, so two periods with different weather can be compared directly. If you want to judge whether a measure actually worked, temperature-corrected consumption is usually the right thing to look at.

How to see the figures as a table and download them

Click Show table in the top right.

The table shows both periods with the Difference between them.

Click Hide empty columns if the table has columns without data.

Click Download as Excel file to download the figures.

Click Show graph to go back to the graph.

Frequently asked questions

Can I compare against a period that isn't a whole year back?

Yes. The Last year shortcut and the two preceding years are only suggestions — in the calendar you can pick any start date, for example last month or the same week last year.

Why is the comparison period empty?

Then there are no meter readings for that period. This is common for buildings recently connected to Properate, or for a meter that was added later.

Is the link to the graph shareable?

Yes. Meter, period, resolution and comparison period all live in the page's address, so a colleague with access to the same building sees exactly what you see when you send them the link.

Tip!

If you want to explain a deviation you spot here, add a note directly on the graph. The note is tied to that point in time and stays visible to anyone looking at the same period later. See How to add a note.