> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.iviva.com/lucy/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.iviva.com/lucy/add-ons/energy-budgeting.md). # Energy Budgeting Energy budgeting refers to the process of setting and managing budgets for energy consumption within a building or workplace. This involves determining the amount of energy expected to be used over a specific period and then tracking actual energy consumption against this budget. Monitoring energy usage is essential for organizations looking to manage their energy consumption more effectively, reduce costs, and improve their environmental impact. **Energy Budgeting Add-on** Lucy’s Energy Budgeting add-on allows you to track the energy consumption across multiple buildings and energy categories. **Energy Categories** Energy Categories represent different types of energy sources or consumption in a building. For example, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. There can be different meters that track different circuits that measure these types. However, in environments where such detailed metering is not available, overall energy consumption can be captured using a single category. ## Monitoring Energy Consumption This article explains how to track your energy consumption and compare it to your budget with Lucy’s Energy Budgeting Add-on. This process involves three main steps: 1. [Installing the Energy Budgeting Add-on](#id-1.-installing-the-energy-budgeting-add-on) 2. [Configuring the Energy Budgeting Add-on](#id-2.-configuring-the-energy-budgeting-add-on) 3. [Creating Your Canvas](#id-3.-creating-your-canvas) ### 1. Installing the Energy Budgeting Add-on To start monitoring your energy usage, first install the Energy Budgeting add-on. To install the Energy Budgeting Add-on: 1. On the Lucy app **homepage**, click the **Add-ons** tab. Add-ons page will be displayed. 2. Click **Install a new Add-on**. 3. Pick the **Energy Budgeting** add-on from the list of add-ons. 4. Click **Install**. The add-on will be installed and will appear on the Add-ons page. {% hint style="info" %} You can skip installing the add-on if you have already done it. {% endhint %} ### 2. Configuring the Energy Budgeting Add-on After the installation is completed, you will be directed to the configuration page. This step involves configuring energy categories and budgets and connecting meters. To configure the add-on: 1. On the app **homepage**, click the **Add-ons** tab. Add-ons page will open. 2. Click on the **Energy Budgeting** add-on. A configuration wizard will open. 3. Go to **Setup Budgets and Categories** tab. 4. Add a new Energy Category. 1. Click the **+** button. 2. **Category Name**: Give a name for the category, *e.g., HVAC, Lighting.* 3. Click **Save**. A new category will be created and listed under Setup Budgets and Categories tab. 4. Create multiple categories if you have meters to track different types of energy consumption. 5. Configure energy consumption budgets for all the newly added categories. 1. Click on a category. 2. Type in the budget values for each month of the year. 3. Click **Save**. 6. Connect meters. There are three ways to feed actual energy consumption data to the system. 1. **Get Smart Meters**: Connect smart meters to automatically send energy consumption data in. 2. **Buy on Spacewox:** Buy smart meters from Spaceworx marketplace. 3. **Manually Upload Energy data:** Upload energy consumption data manually. 4. Go to **Connect Meters** tab. 5. We will pick **Manually Upload Energy data** option. 6. Select the **Date** for the month you want to add energy data. 7. Type in the actual consumption for each category you have created. 8. Click **Save**. 9. Click **Manually Upload Energy data** option to add more data. ### 3. Creating Your Canvas The last step is to create a canvas to monitor energy consumption. To create a canvas: 1. On the Lucy app **homepage**, go to the **Gallery** tab. 2. Click the **+** button to start creating a new Canvas. 3. Click **Next**. 4. Customise the background of the canvas if needed. 1. To select a colour theme for your Canvas from the pre-selected colour themes, click on the required box. Selected colour theme will be shown under the Header Colour section. 2. If you need to select a custom colour theme, click on the colour code in the Header Colour section to open the colour picker to select a colour of your own. 3. Under Background Image, click the Search icon to select a background wallpaper for your Canvas. 4. To select an image from the available collection, first, type the required keyword in the Search Images box to search for the image and then select it. 5. To select your own image as the background of the Canvas, click Upload your image and upload your own image. 6. Enable the Blur the background option to blur the applied background of your Canvas if necessary. 5. Provide a suitable unique **Name** for the canvas. 6. Grant Access to the Canvas. 1. Select a User Group (e.g., System Administrators) if you wish to grant access to specific groups. 2. Skip the User Group selection if you intend to allow access for everyone. 7. Click **Next**. A new Canvas will be created. 8. Click **Go to your Canvas now** button to launch it in a new window. 9. Pick and add energy related widgets on to your canvas. 1. Click **+** button. Widget Browser will open. 2. Use the Search box to search and filter required widgets by typing widget’s name/partial name, *e.g., energy.* 3. We will select, **Current Monthly Energy Usage, Energy Consumption (Category-wise) and Yearly Energy Consumption** widgets. 4. Click **Add Widgets.** Widgets will be added to the canvas. Initially, you will not see data in the widgets. 10. Filter and display data in the Monthly Energy Usage widget. This widget displays current month’s consumption. 1. Select the Monthly Energy Usage widget. 2. Click **Filter** icon. 3. Pick the applicable **location**. 4. Select the required **Category** *e.g., HVAC*. 5. The widget will display the current month’s consumption for the selected category. 11. Filter and display data in the Energy Consumption (Category-wise) widget. This widget displays category-wise energy usage. 1. Select the Energy Consumption (Category-wise) widget. 2. Click **Filter** icon. 3. Choose the applicable **Year** and **Month**. 4. Select the applicable **Location**. 5. Select the required **Categories**. 6. The widget will display the breakdown of energy usage into different categories. 12. Filter and display data in the Yearly Energy Consumption widget. This widget shows the energy consumption details budgeted versus the actual entire year. 1. Select the Yearly Energy Consumption widget. 2. Click **Filter** icon. 3. Choose the applicable **Year**. 4. Select the relevant **Location.** 5. Pick the required **Category**. 6. The widget will display the energy usage details budgeted versus the actual entire year. The video below explains the process of monitoring energy consumption in your building or workplace. {% embed url="" %}