The RTEM Network

The duration of a RTEM system installation is unique to each project/system and should be discussed with your RTEM vendor. While the duration is site specific, they typically average between three to six months. Key factors of the installation duration include:

• Project scope
• Site access
• Access to the building’s network infrastructure and equipment integration protocols
• Coordination and communication with your qualified RTEM vendor

All projects submitted to the NYSERDA RTEM program must be installed and commissioned within six months of project approval.

In short, all buildings have automated controls capabilities.

Facilities of any size or of any system complexity can realize the benefits of RTEM. RTEM can work for Commercial, Multifamily, or Industrial, and whether they have a multitude of distributed systems, or a single central plant. RTEM Systems may be as simple as a box that plugs into your boiler, or as comprehensive as full-blown Building Management System.

The right fit for your building depends on the specific outcomes you are looking to achieve, with whatever mix of systems are present at your site. Using RTEM to understand the nuances of how your asset performs, and identify where you can save energy, time, and money starts with you.

When it comes to software, the cloud connectivity of an RTEM system allows for seamless updates, and the expansion of analytic functionality over time. Your RTEM system will never need to be manually updated to a newer version, and can be expanded at whatever pace best fits your long-term capital plan.

The benefit of RTEM's cloud connectivity means that the monitoring and analytic capabilities built into the platform will never degrade over time. The effective lifetime of an RTEM system is more reliant on the functionality and accuracy of the underlying controls hardware in your space, or on whether your RTEM vendor provides a System-As-A-Service offering.

On balance, the average effective useful life of an RTEM system is approximately 15 years. (NYS TRM EMS Lifetime Reference)

Some vendors may promise sky-high energy savings, and some isolated test cases have resulted in energy savings as high as 20-30%. However, the savings you will see at your building will depend on a range of factors, such as existing site conditions, building type and use, and occupancy rates.

Class A buildings, with experienced operators and engineers who already run a tight ship, may realize less direct energy savings. However, they can expect to realize a significant reduction in staff time spent identifying and resolving issues. On the other hand, buildings without on-site staff around the clock, energy savings from installing an RTEM system may reach as high as 20%.

Overall, the RTEM program has found a portfolio-wide average of 7.2% combined energy savings across all evaluated RTEM project sites. If you have questions about the expected energy savings for your building, reach out to the RTEM Team (link to contact us/information request), who can provide additional information about what we've seen across a range of building types.