---
description: >-
  Connecting your utility provider offers a powerful (pun intended) way to
  visualize and track your energy usage.
---

# Utilities

## Why connect your utility provider

Scope 1 (On-site and mobile combustion) and Scope 2 (Purchased electricity) are essential parts of any organizations carbon footprint. Understanding how your offices and locations are using energy efficiently is essential for reducing your energy usage overall. Plus, keeping track of your energy usage means real savings in the long term.

By connecting your electricity or natural gas provider, GreenPlaces can provide up-to-date insights on your energy usage and how your locations compare in terms of usage, emissions, and efficiency.

## What data do we store?

GreenPlaces prioritizes the privacy and data security of your company. That's why we focus on _storing_ only the minimum amount of data necessary to evaluate your carbon footprint.

### Utility Meters

<table><thead><tr><th width="224">Utility Data</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Meter ID</td><td>The unique ID of the meter provided by the utility.</td></tr><tr><td>Service Identifier</td><td>The service identifier of the meter provided by the utility.</td></tr><tr><td>Service Tariff</td><td>The type of service being provided, i.e. "E19S Medium General Demand-Metered TOU Service"</td></tr><tr><td>Service Class</td><td>The type of utility being provided. i.e. "Electric", "Natural Gas", "Water"</td></tr><tr><td>Service Address</td><td>The address where the meter is providing power.</td></tr><tr><td>Voltage</td><td>The total voltage that the meter provides.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Utility Bills

<table><thead><tr><th width="229">Utility Data</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Billing Contact</td><td>The name the utility meter bill is addressed to.</td></tr><tr><td>Billing Address</td><td>The billing address for the utility bill.</td></tr><tr><td>Billing Account</td><td>The account number for the bill, provided by the utility.</td></tr><tr><td>Start Date</td><td>When the service began for the billing period.</td></tr><tr><td>End Date</td><td>When the service ended for the billing period.</td></tr><tr><td>Cost</td><td>The total cost for the service provided.</td></tr><tr><td>Volume</td><td>The total amount of energy provided. i.e. "15,000 KWh"</td></tr><tr><td>Unit</td><td>The unit the utility bill is selling energy in. i.e. "KWh"</td></tr><tr><td>Kind</td><td>How the utility classifies the energy provided. i.e. "supply"</td></tr><tr><td>Rate</td><td>The per unit cost of the energy provided. (in USD)</td></tr></tbody></table>

## How to Connect your utility provider to GreenPlaces

{% hint style="info" %}
The steps below should be completed by a utilities administrator or someone who has access to the online account with your electricity or natural gas provider.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>Not a utilities admin? Invite them to join GreenPlaces</summary>

Inviting your utilities or facilities admin to collaborate with you in GreenPlaces is an easy process. This person needs to have access to the online portal for your utility provider. Simply send them an invitation through the "Members" tab in GreenPlaces.&#x20;

For more information on inviting your teammates to GreenPlaces, [click here](../overview/adding-your-team).

</details>

### Step 1: Navigate to the "Integrations" tab

The "Integrations" tab is on the left side of the dashboard under the "Settings" menu. You can also navigate to the "Integrations" page by [clicking here](https://app.greenplaces.com/providers).

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FcJ36ymkZjLAtZz9fEccj%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%2011.58.22%20AM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a3fa7e25-81e9-4dc8-b193-05ba021fff8c" alt=""><figcaption><p>The integrations tab is on the left side of the dashboard.</p></figcaption></figure>

Next, navigate to the "Utilities" tab on the integrations page.

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2Fvccv0TZG43FgKf0drN6i%2Fintegration%20list.png?alt=media&#x26;token=34ea523c-c10d-42ca-8400-a2c01e475af9" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click on the "Utilities" tab to view available utilities.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Step 2: Select your utility from this list

GreenPlaces connects with a variety of utility providers around the world. Don't see your utility on the list? Just let your account manager know.

After selecting your utility provider, **click "Connect Provider"** to continue.

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2F5D7FqaaXsThw4Z0LkEA3%2Fsingle%20integration.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ddd19522-c920-4028-9cc7-36d951540e92" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click the green "Connect Provider" button to continue.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Step 3: Sign in with your utility account

Using the login form that pops up, enter the username and password for your online utility account.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
We partner with **Arcadia** and **UtilityApi** to integrate with 2000+ utility providers. You will use one of the two login forms to connect your utility provider to GreenPlaces. Examples of both forms are provided below.
{% endhint %}

### Step 3a: Using the UtilityApi form

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FH9BmFXnHR2g02LoG55bb%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%2012.12.52%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=102ad80c-1e39-4109-8ec9-b2d10bd16266" alt=""><figcaption><p>UtilityApi: Complete the form to authorize sharing your utility information.</p></figcaption></figure>

Complete the form, and **click "Authorize Access and Data Sharing".**

GreenPlaces will attempt to connect to your utility provider. **You must click "Continue"** to complete the connection.

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FyroUmMJ88R81XUoLKwiQ%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%2012.22.41%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=00d11a1d-d195-4a60-9457-bfc5c053e330" alt=""><figcaption><p>UtilityApi: Click "Continue" to complete the connection.</p></figcaption></figure>

All set, proceed to Step 4!

### Step 3b: Using the Arcadia form

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FTyr9AS7S6oJry8YHq0hv%2Farcadia-login-form.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5a9f3377-57d1-48bd-9455-00524a8b882b" alt=""><figcaption><p>Arcadia: Complete the form </p></figcaption></figure>

Complete the form with your username and password for your online utility account, and **click "Submit".**

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FFjbohOR7azYk62mEooKQ%2Farcadia-confirmation.png?alt=media&#x26;token=63c74804-f631-4d9a-a0b1-d6360c7d5365" alt=""><figcaption><p>Arcadia: Wait for validation to finish by leaving the popup window open.</p></figcaption></figure>

After clicking **"Submit",** Arcadia will attempt to validate your username and password. This can take 2-3 minutes, so leave the popup window open.

If you get an error here, try once more, then reach out to your account manager.&#x20;

To **connect another account**, repeat steps 1-4. Do not use the "Connect Another Account" button in the window to connect additional utility integrations.

### Step 4: GreenPlaces takes care of the rest

GreenPlaces will synchronize with your utility provider every week. You can view the status of your integration at any time under the "Integrations" tab, as well as see the last time the GreenPlaces synced with your platform.

To disconnect your utility provider, just let your account manager know.

## Available Utility Integrations

Click below to view a list all supported Utility integrations in the GreenPlaces platform.

{% content-ref url="../overview/available-integrations/utilities" %}
[utilities](../overview/available-integrations/utilities)
{% endcontent-ref %}
