Oil delivery "skimming" is another security issue that could be costing building owners thousands of dollars each year. As just one example, in July 2007, executives at two New York companies were arrested by the FBI for stealing $75 million in heating oil. U.S. Energy Group's patented VERIFIER Fuel Gauge, enables property managers to verify their heating oil deliveries and detect oil theft, and can be part of a comprehensive security monitoring solution, that includes remote security cameras and secure card access.
Buildings are increasingly threatened by "short" deliveries as the price of oil raises the temptation to skim. However, portfolio managers are making the Verifier a very important tool in a property management firm's security arsenal. The Verifier and U.S. Energy's USE-Manager monitoring program can share the same "Online Network" with a building's security company and report deliveries, discrepancies, and "low-oil" alerts through both services on that network. At the same time, those buildings with an Energy Management System (EMS) and the Verifier, can also track temperatures and building comfort levels, as well as oil usage and consumption analysis. Â
"Elevating oil deliveries to a security issue and protecting the building from oil theft makes enormously good sense," said Des Smyth, president of SecureWatch 24. "As an example, we've been sharing our network with U.S. Energy Group on a 75-building portfolio and all involved are pleased with this comprehensive approach."
Visit the U.S. Energy Group website at www.use-group.com to learn more about preventing heating oil theft, the FBI's arrests, and The Verifier Digital Fuel Gauge. To learn more about SecureWatch 24, visit www.sw24.com.
Founded in 1978 by CEO Jerry Pindus, U.S. Energy Group is a metro-New York based firm, which develops and integrates energy control, monitoring and analysis systems for large residential properties. With U.S. Energy Group's products and services, building owners save money, conserve energy and enhance tenants' comfort.