Reversing a council demand error at the Vineyard Hotel.
The Vineyard Hotel has run Augos meters for over four years, using the data to monitor consumption and to check monthly council bills. When the council's recorded kVA demand suddenly spiked in a way the Augos data did not reflect, the hotel had the independent, granular evidence to challenge it. After the council tested and corrected its meter, the readings matched Augos again, and the incorrect demand charges were reversed.
- A sudden council kVA demand spike was not reflected in the Augos data.
- Independent, granular meter data gave the hotel the evidence to challenge it.
- The council tested its meter, the readings matched Augos, and the charges were reversed.
- The hotel checks every council bill against Augos to keep billing accurate.
The challenge: unexplained fluctuations in council demand
The Vineyard Hotel, a leader in environmental consciousness, has used Augos meters for over four years, not only to monitor consumption and find continuous-improvement opportunities, but also to compare against monthly utility bills for accuracy.
Initially, the council's billing matched the Augos data closely. Then, in April 2012, management noticed an alarming change: the council's recorded demand (kVA) showed a sudden, significant spike that was not reflected in the Augos readings for the same period. Because demand charges are based on the highest kVA recorded, the error had the potential to sharply increase the hotel's electricity costs.
The Augos solution: data as the final arbitrator
The hotel raised the discrepancy with the local council, which investigated its own meter using the Augos data as the definitive point of comparison. After subsequent testing and correction of the council meter, its readings again matched those of Augos, demonstrating the integrity and reliability of the platform's measurement.
In South Africa, disputes over maximum demand (kVA) are common in council billing, often from meter calibration issues or data spikes. Independent, granular meter data provides the auditable, third-party proof that municipal and NERSA dispute procedures require, letting businesses confidently challenge and reverse incorrect charges.
Results: reversing incorrect charges
The success of the dispute rested entirely on the irrefutable data from the Augos platform.
"The accurate reporting of Augos allowed us to keep the council readings in check, something we would not have been able to compare otherwise. When the Augos reporting system alerted us to inaccuracies in the council's reporting and several incorrect council bills, we were able to reverse the unnecessary charges with the help of Augos, the council engineers and the available meter data Augos provided."
Chris van Zyl, Group Environmental Manager, Vineyard Hotel
What went wrong with the Vineyard Hotel's council bill?
In April 2012 the council's recorded demand (kVA) showed a sudden, significant spike that the Augos readings for the same period did not reflect. Because demand charges are based on the highest kVA recorded, that error threatened to inflate the hotel's electricity costs.
How did Augos data resolve the dispute?
The hotel raised the discrepancy with the council, which investigated its own meter using the Augos data as the definitive comparison. After the council tested and corrected its meter, the readings matched Augos again, and the incorrect charges were reversed.
Why is independent meter data so important?
Disputes over maximum demand (kVA) are common in council billing, often from meter calibration issues or data spikes. Independent, granular data provides the auditable, third-party proof that municipal and NERSA dispute procedures require.
How long has the hotel used Augos?
Augos meters have been installed at the Vineyard Hotel for over four years, used both to monitor consumption and to check monthly utility bills for accuracy.
Can other businesses challenge demand charges the same way?
Yes. Any business with independent, granular meter data can confidently compare against council readings and, where there is a genuine error, present the evidence to reverse incorrect charges.
Find savings like these on your own site.
Book a demo with one of our energy experts.