Introducing Dave Booker: Driving Smarter Utility Savings as Process Improvement Engineer

Introducing Dave Booker: Driving Smarter Utility Savings as Process Improvement Engineer

We’re delighted to welcome Dave Booker to the Total Utilities team as our new Process Improvement Engineer. His expertise will undoubtedly enhance our commitment to delivering exceptional service.

Dave brings decades of experience from industries like pulp, paper and steel, where he’s known for his hands-on approach to solving complex technical problems. 

His background in troubleshooting and strategic process improvements makes him the perfect fit for our goal of delivering smarter, more efficient energy solutions.

At Total Utilities, Dave will focus on optimising our Panoramic Power energy monitoring and intelligence platform, a key tool in tracking energy consumption for our clients. 

His job? To make sure the data captured by these units doesn’t just sit in spreadsheets but becomes a powerful tool to cut costs and improve efficiency. 

Turning Data into Action

“It’s not just about collecting data,” Dave says, “It’s about transforming that data into insights that show clients exactly where they can reduce energy and put their resources to best use.”

With rising power prices and operational costs becoming a major concern for businesses, Dave’s role is more crucial than ever. “What we’re aiming for is visibility,” he adds. “We want to give clients a clear understanding of how their systems are performing, where inefficiencies lie, and what can be done about them—before small issues turn into costly problems.” 

By analysing mechanical performance and predicting failures before they happen, Dave is confident that his work with Panoramic Power will not only prevent breakdowns but also boost long-term sustainability and operational savings.

His practical, methodical approach to problem-solving has been honed through years of experience. His previous roles as a Process Engineer and Technical Superintendent have sharpened his ability to instinctively find solutions, often before the problem fully reveals itself. 

Driving Efficiency, Cutting Costs

Whether it’s transforming raw energy data into useful information or strategically planning capital investments, Dave is always looking for ways to get more with less, ensuring that any investment in technology delivers real, tangible results.

When he’s not busy turning data into action, he’s a keen Harley Davidson enthusiast and also enjoys turning his hand to home improvements. 

We welcome Dave to the team, and look forward to seeing the impact he will make as he applies his expertise to help our clients navigate the challenges of rising operational costs and energy consumption.

  • Ready to optimise your energy usage and cut operational costs? Connect with Dave and the team today to discover how our data-driven solutions can work for you.
Transform Rising Energy Costs into Savings with Real-Time Intelligence and Panoramic Power

Transform Rising Energy Costs into Savings with Real-Time Intelligence and Panoramic Power

New Zealand businesses are grappling with skyrocketing costs and energy inefficiencies in today’s turbulent market. But there’s good news on the horizon—hydro storage has surged significantly in the last week, offering a welcome shift.

 Panoramic Powers End-to-End smart energy management solutions

At Total Utilities, we’ve teamed up with Panoramic Power to provide innovative solutions that help you take advantage of these changes and optimise your energy management.

Panoramic Power delivers a comprehensive, cloud-based energy management solution with mobile app access, offering the most cost-effective option on the market. With rapid ROI and customisable dashboards and reports, it’s tailored to meet your unique needs.

Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of our powerful energy intelligence solution:

1. Illuminate and Eliminate Energy Waste

Many businesses are unaware of where they use energy within their plant or facility as utility bills don’t provide information relative to opening hours or production runs. Plus the data on the invoice is looking in the rear view mirror. Panoramic Power’s advanced monitoring technology provides real-time data relative to production schedules and operating hours to easily highlight the cost of energy waste.

2. Upgrade to Real-Time Energy Intelligence

Traditional energy monitoring often falls short as it cannot measure key devices and equipment. Our solution offers real-time insights into every piece of equipment, allowing you to monitor performance and prevent unnecessary downtime. You can track the hours your equipment runs, and immediately identify if it starts drawing more current than is expected. This allows for preventative maintenance and a proactive approach that ensures any issues are detected and resolved before they impact your operations.

Real-Time Energy Intelligence on devices and equipment

3. Capitalise on Energy-Saving Opportunities

Missing out on energy-saving opportunities can be costly. Panoramic Power’s system sends timely alerts about potential savings and efficiency improvements, enabling you to act swiftly and reduce your energy costs. Stay ahead of the curve and maximise every opportunity to cut costs!

4. Implement Comprehensive Business Cases to Drive Change

One of the biggest stumbling blocks to implementing energy savings measures is inadequate data to build a comprehensive business case. Our continuous monitoring provides in-depth analysis of device level energy usage and cost, ensuring you have a complete understanding of your equipment’s running costs. This enables you to make informed decisions to enhance efficiency. 

5. Address Minor Inefficiencies Before They Escalate

Small inefficiencies can accumulate and lead to significant costs. Panoramic Power helps you pinpoint and address these issues early, preventing them from becoming major problems and ensuring ongoing cost savings.

Why Total Utilities and Panoramic Power Are Your Partners in Innovation

At Total Utilities, we’re committed to finding innovative ways to help businesses like yours tackle rising energy costs. Our partnership with Panoramic Power offers you access to state-of-the-art energy intelligence technology that provides actionable insights and drives energy cost savings.

Ready to bring Energy Savings to light?

Take control of your energy costs with Total Utilities and Panoramic Power. Reach out to us today to discover how our advanced solutions can transform your energy management strategy and deliver substantial savings.

📩 Contact us now to explore how we can help you navigate the challenges of rising energy costs and implement effective, innovative solutions.

Welcome back Euan: A Familiar Face Returns to Software Sales

Welcome back Euan: A Familiar Face Returns to Software Sales

We’re thrilled to welcome back Euan Lamont to Total Utilities as an Account Executive. Euan’s return marks an exciting chapter for us as we continue to innovate and expand our offerings in the utility sector.

Euan first joined us in January 2018 as a Sales Manager for the Lower North Island, a role he held until mid-2022. 

During this period, he focused on energy procurement, working closely with our Auckland team to deliver comprehensive services to our clients. 

Experience & Expertise

Before joining Total Utilities the first time around, Euan gained significant experience working with an electricity retailer, where he collaborated with us on various tenders and procurement projects. His deep understanding of the energy market made his transition to Total Utilities seamless, and he quickly became a key player in our sales team.

In his new role as Account Executive, Euan will leverage his extensive background in all things energy and utilities, coupled with his recent experience in B2B (business to business) SaaS (Software as a Service), to drive our product offerings. 

Driving Innovation

Since 2022, he has been involved in the B2B SaaS sector, focusing on compliance and efficiency-based solutions. “The shift to software sales has been a fascinating journey so far,” he shares. “I’m excited to bring this expertise back to Total Utilities and help our clients navigate these new tools.”

Euan’s return comes at a pivotal time for Total Utilities, as we continue to integrate innovative solutions like Panoramic Power – a real-time energy monitoring system, and Net0 – our advanced AI-first carbon management tool, into our comprehensive services. Both products have been instrumental in helping businesses manage their energy use and carbon emissions.

Euan’s ability to build strong relationships, solve problems, and understand customer needs, will be crucial as we navigate these opportunities.

Game-Changing AI Services

Euan is particularly excited about the potential of Net0 and Panoramic Power to revolutionise how businesses manage their energy use and carbon emissions. “These aren’t just ‘rearview-mirror’ tools for tracking data,” he explains. “They use AI and machine learning to help companies anticipate and proactively manage their energy consumption and carbon footprint. It’s a game-changer.”

As Euan settles back into the team, he says he is eager to contribute to our strategic growth and help our clients achieve their goals. “I’m looking forward to helping our clients reach new heights in their sustainability journeys. Whether it’s enhancing efficiency, cutting costs, or driving innovation, there’s so much potential, and I’m excited to be part of it,” he adds.

Please join us in welcoming Euan back to Total Utilities. We look forward to the innovative contributions he will undoubtedly bring to our clients and our team.

  • Want to contact Euan to discuss how Total Utilities can help your business with innovative energy and carbon management solutions? Email him at [email protected]

Landlords, property managers & tenants – meet Panoramic Power!

Landlords, property managers & tenants – meet Panoramic Power!

Ever had sky high utility bills at your investment or commercial property that you can’t explain? Or are you looking for an energy solution that provides an accurate breakdown of tenant consumption so that you can bill by usage rather than square metre?   

Meet Panoramic Power! 

It’s predictable, reliable, never sweeps costs under the carpet and hates waste. It’s always fair, makes everyone pay their way and works on facts rather than assumptions.

Total Utilities has been leveraging its power as part of its Total Tenant Metering Solution – to break down utility billing for clients to a granular level. It enables us to pinpoint any potential cost savings and sustainability gains through efficient power use, as well as detect any power faults or maintenance issues that could be costing you dearly in your common areas.

Panoramic Power, combined with our knowledge and expertise in analysing data, gives you the ability to manage your energy consumption right down to device level across your entire property.

It also enables you to avoid the inconvenience of regular visits from the meter reader! Whether you’re a landlord, property manager or tenant, this could be the perfect billing solution! Read on to get to know Panoramic Power better…

Panoramic Power 

Occupation: Energy Insights tool –  working as part of Total Utilities’ Tenant Metering Solution.

Relationships: In an exclusive relationship with Total Utilities as part of Centrica’s ‘Energy Insights’ package. 

About Panoramic Power: A wireless sensor technology that transmits data from all your energy-using equipment and devices in real-time to a cloud-based analytics platform called PowerRadar. It can be used as part of Total Utilities’ tenant metering solution to give full visibility into your energy usage. 

Designed for simple, quick, non-intrusive installation with minimal business disruption. Requires no maintenance and is a revolution in energy management.

Can provide detailed insights into how, why and where energy is being used within your property or common areas and where it’s being wasted.

Collects detailed utility usage information, enabling Total Utilities to analyse its data and help landlords bill tenants fairly based on individual consumption. 

Not only enables property owners to charge residents fairly and accurately for the amount of energy consumed during a billing period, but also provides important feedback on energy consumption to encourage behavioural change. 

Promotes energy conservation and savings. 

Best qualities:

  • Gifted in accurately measuring and collecting data.
  • Great with numbers.
  • Passion for measuring and conserving energy for a cleaner, greener planet.
  • Extremely low maintenance.
  • Always provides useful insights in real time.
  • Hates inefficiencies and energy wastage.
  • Enables landlords, property managers and tenants to save energy and money.

Bad habits: None. Excellent credit history. Likes to keep things clean and green. 

Ready to meet?: If Panoramic Power sounds like your type of Energy Insights tool, contact Total Utilities and we can hook you up with our Total Tenant Metering Solution.

Keen to find out more before committing?: Panoramic Power and Centrica Energy Insights come with their own Total Utilities Centre of Energy Excellence Brochure. (Click here) 

Subscribe to our Market Commentary

* indicates required

   

Watercare House Case Study: Anchor tenant scores a NABERSNZ excellent rating for energy use

Watercare House Case Study: Anchor tenant scores a NABERSNZ excellent rating for energy use

Pushkar Kulkarni from Total Utilities completed the site review and NABERSNZ Assessment of Watercare House. Here he provides additional commentary to the original published case study, highlighting the specific benefits of a NABERSNZ tenancy rating.

“A NABERSNZ tenancy rating is an ideal tool for tenants as it shows them how their day to day operations impact their energy performance. It can also determine how well they manage energy and identify the opportunities that may exist to improve energy performance.

In an increasingly competitive market place and businesses look for a point of difference by delivering on their corporate and social responsibility, and think about long term business sustainability, tools like NABERSNZ are a good demonstration of their willingness to “walk the talk”. It reflects where they are now with respect to others and what benefits they can get by improving their NABERSNZ rating. I definitely feel that ratings will become increasingly important in New Zealand.

Equipment directly impacting the tenancy rating of Watercare are: lighting, computers, and client specific plug load etc. They are limited to what they can do with the lighting connections and zoning due to way in which these were originally designed. This has had an impact on the rating. If a NABERSNZ rating was a factor that developers and contractors were informed of during the design/build stage, then there is good chance that the lighting connections and zoning may have been designed differently.

In my opinion the occupancy density, clever use of all areas, and using lighting controls are the main factors that have resulted in a 4-Star NABERSNZ tenancy rating for Watercare. The rating demonstrates it’s a very good start and platform for Watercare to understand where they are at compared to the wider market and examine strategies on how they can improve going forward.”


Scoring a first-rate NABERSNZ 4-star tenancy rating for energy consumption at its office demonstrates an Auckland company’s commitment to the environment.

Auckland water provider Watercare Services Limited is the anchor tenant in an eight-level office block constructed in bustling Newmarket in 2013.

73 Remuera Road is the first Green Star rated commercial property in the district and reflects the growing demand from corporate tenants for green principled, energy smart work spaces.

Watercare occupies three of five office floors in the building.

Key Facts

  • 4-star ‘excellent’ NABERSNZ tenancy rating
  • Energy use certified as 97.6 kWh/year/m2

  • NABERSNZ to be used at other sites

  • Further energy upgrades continue

Big Numbers

  • 2013 – achieves a 5 Green Star Design rating
  • 2015 – achieves a 5 Green Star Built rating
  • 2016 – achieves a 4 star NABERSNZ tenancy rating
  • Energy use certified as 97.6 kWh/year/m2
  • Total energy consumption 738,454 kWh/ year

Building Profile

Location:  73 Remuera Road, Newmarket, Auckland

Owner: Viewmount Orchards Limited

Anchor Tenant: Watercare Services Limited (approximately 300 employees on site on an ordinary day)

Accolades:

  • 5 Green Star Design (Achieved 2013)
  • 5 Green Star Built (Achieved 2015)
  • NZ Property Council Award – Commercial Office Property Best in Category Award 2015
  • NZ Property Council Award – Green Building Property Merit Award 2015

The Anchor Tenant

Watercare is an Auckland Council owned organisation (CCO) providing water and wastewater services to Auckland and its environs. It is committed to the sustainable management of natural resources and energy saving operations. The Auckland Council has two additional NABERSNZ rated premises – the Manukau Civic Building (3 star whole building, 2014) and Orewa Service Centre (3.5 star whole building 2016).

watercare.co.nz

The Building/Facilities Manager

FM Concepts Limited is an Auckland-based commercial property management firm which focuses on medium to large high rise buildings and offers a full range of services including onsite operational management, property consultancy, contract management, health and safety systems and cost management. It has a strong interest in the sustainability of the built environment and energy efficiency. Two commercial buildings in its portfolio are currently undergoing NABERSNZ ratings.

fmconcepts.co.nz

watercare-house-NABERSNZKey Sustainable Features

  • Located within easy walking distance of train and bus networks – encourages sustainable transport options for occupants
  • High-tech building controls and management system with real time monitoring
  • Energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC).
  • Double glazed façade
  • LED lighting
  • Well-designed waste collection and recycling area
  • End of trip facilities – gym, cycle park and locker facilities

This property is a brownfield redevelopment – its construction has improved an existing dilapidated area and makes a positive contribution to a sustainable Auckland.

Why NABERSNZ?

With water being its core business Watercare has the environment and energy issues at the top of its agenda.

While its head office is housed in Green Star rated Watercare House the company’s sustainability manager Roseline Klein says the company wanted to understand its everyday energy performance across the three floors it occupies in the building.

It was the missing ingredient.

We wanted to know where we were at with our energy performance, how well we were doing and where we could improve. We’d heard about NABERSNZ so we did some research online. It’s a great tool, it provides a benchmark and it drives best practice.”

– Watercare Services Limited Sustainability Manager Roseline Klein

NABERSNZ in Action

Watercare Services Limited sustainability manager Roseline Klein says undertaking a NABERSNZ rating over its 7563 square metres of office space has proved to be “a painless process”.

The meterage required for a rating was already in place – 18 meters had been installed in the building during the construction period to aid fine-tuning of systems and utilities.

The company took advantage of the free NABERSNZ feasibility assessment which determines a building’s readiness to get started with a rating.

“It made a big difference for us and took away the humdrum business of counting 644 computers and documenting the configuration of staff plus it set a timetable, provided a checklist and saved us time,” says Roseline.

NABERSNZ assessor Pushkar Kulkarni from Total Utilities says lighting, computers and occupant specific plug load have the biggest impact on a tenancy rating.

He says clever configuration of work spaces, occupancy density and sensory lighting controls have resulted in Watercare’s superb 4 star result.

The Value of NABERSNZ

Watercare says it wants to model water and energy efficiency and its 4-star NABERSNZ tenancy rating shows its credentials.

Sustainability manager Roseline Klein says the rating has been “a great experience” and has pushed the company to look hard at its resources and ensure they are better used.
“It’s spearheaded change. For example we’re now trying to ensure our procurement process is not always about cost but energy efficiency too. We’ve recently retrofitted our gym with water efficient shower heads which use nine litres per minute compared with 12 – they offer a better shower experience and use less water and energy,” she says.
Roseline believes if a NABERSNZ rating was compulsory it would encourage energy awareness and help tackle climate change.
“For example Aucklanders are the lowest users of water because it is charged volumetrically so whether you are sustainably-minded or not your invoice reminds you not to waste, to think of water efficiency. A mandatory energy performance rating would have the same effect for landlords and tenants.”
In Australia a NABERS rating is compulsory for commercial offices over 1,000 square metres while a range of mandatory energy performance ratings exist in Europe.

NABERSNZ assessor Pushkar Kulkarni says as Kiwi businesses increasingly look to deliver on corporate and social responsibility and think about long-term business sustainability a NABERSNZ rating demonstrates a willingness to ‘walk the talk’.
“The NABERSNZ tool is set to become increasingly important in New Zealand.”

A NABERSNZ rating demonstrates a willingness to ‘walk the talk’
– NABERSNZ Assessor Pushkar Kulkarni