Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Algi, from how it works to what it costs.
Getting started
Do I need to upload anything to start?
No. Enter your building address and Algi builds a property brief from public data. No account, no bill, no commitment.
What data sources does Algi use?
Algi pulls from six public sources: the EPC Register, Companies House, CAMS air quality data, NASA POWER climate data, National Grid carbon intensity, and Ordnance Survey. Your energy bills add the consumption layer. No hardware is needed to start.
How does the automated bill analysis work?
Upload a PDF or photo of your gas or electricity bill. Algi's AI extracts the consumption data, matches it against your building profile, identifies waste patterns, and generates a savings report. Each saving is expressed in kWh and pounds, tied to a specific line item.
Compliance and reporting
What does SECR compliance actually require?
SECR requires qualifying UK companies to report energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and efficiency actions in their annual Directors' Report. No third-party accreditation is needed to prepare the data - Algi generates the report from your bills.
Can Algi generate my SECR report?
Yes. Algi generates SECR-ready reports including energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions (using published DEFRA conversion factors), intensity ratios, and an efficiency action narrative. No third-party accreditation is required to prepare SECR data.
What is ESOS Phase 4 and do I need it?
ESOS is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme. Phase 4 qualification is 31 December 2026, with a compliance deadline of 5 December 2027. If your organisation meets two of three criteria (250+ employees, GBP 36m+ turnover, GBP 18m+ balance sheet), you need an ESOS audit. Algi prepares the data pack; an accredited Lead Assessor reviews and signs off.
How much does a typical company spend on energy compliance without Algi?
The UK Government's SECR Post-Implementation Review puts the average cost at GBP 7,100 per year for SECR alone. Add an ESOS audit (GBP 8,000-15,000 every four years), an energy broker (GBP 2,000-5,000 per year), and PPN 06/21 preparation (GBP 2,000-4,000), and the typical annual compliance spend for a large UK company is GBP 12,000-20,000.
What does Comply include that Essentials does not?
Comply adds compliance report generation: SECR-ready reports with DEFRA emission factors, PPN 06/21 carbon reduction plans, ESOS data pack preparation, and UK SRS readiness. If your company has SECR, ESOS, or PPN obligations, Comply handles them.
What is the advisor network?
Some compliance obligations require a legally accredited person to sign off. ESOS needs a Lead Assessor; EPCs need an energy assessor. Algi prepares all the data before the advisor sees it, so their work takes hours instead of weeks and their fee reflects that. You deal with Algi directly - one relationship, one invoice.
Does Algi replace my energy consultant?
For most companies, yes. Bill analysis, savings identification, SECR reports, PPN 06/21 plans, benchmarking, and grant matching are all automated. Where a legally accredited signature is required (ESOS, EPC), our advisor network handles it at a fraction of typical rates.
Packages and pricing
How is pricing structured?
Every package is priced per property based on what you need. There are no hidden fees and no long contracts. Book a call and we run a free brief on your building before quoting anything.
Can I start with one package and add more later?
Yes. Most companies start with Essentials or Comply and add Monitor or Advisory when they are ready. The platform is the same underneath every package, so upgrading is adding capabilities, not migrating data.
Do I need hardware to use the software?
No. Essentials and Comply are software only. They work from your energy bills and public data sources. Monitor, Housing, and Complete add Algi Sense hardware for real-time environmental monitoring, but the software works without it.
Housing and monitoring
What does Algi monitor in each home?
Algi Sense units measure temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 continuously. Particulate matter (PM2.5) is also tracked. Readings are logged at one-minute intervals, timestamped, and stored on the Algi platform.
Does Algi guarantee compliance with Awaab's Law?
No. Algi provides continuous monitoring data and a defensible evidence trail. It does not guarantee compliance, ensure legal safety, or prevent mould. What it does is show that conditions were being monitored and that responses were timely and documented.
Can Algi detect damp and mould?
Algi monitors conditions that correlate with damp and mould risk, specifically sustained high humidity and inadequate ventilation. It does not directly detect mould growth. Humidity spikes that may indicate possible leaks are surfaced for investigation.
How does the evidence trail work?
Every sensor reading is timestamped and stored. When a condition triggers an alert, the response and any maintenance action is logged against the same timeline. The full record is exportable as PDF or CSV for case files, complaints, or regulatory review.
What is the hardware and how is it installed?
Algi Sense is a compact wireless sensor that measures temperature, humidity, CO2, and PM2.5. It is battery powered, requires no wiring, and installs in minutes. The sensor connects to the Algi platform via WiFi or the Algi Hub gateway. Hardware is leased, not purchased.
Is there volume pricing for large portfolios?
Yes. Housing associations and local authorities with portfolios of 50 or more units are eligible for volume pricing. Book a call to discuss your stock and requirements.
Hardware
What does the Bio Wall actually do?
The Bio Wall is a living Spirulina panel that processes airborne particulates and CO2 as part of the building's air handling system. It complements HVAC rather than replacing it, and has shown load reductions of 25-30%* per room in controlled testing.
How is the hardware installed?
Algi Sense is wireless and battery powered. It installs in minutes with no wiring. The Algi Hub connects to your network via ethernet or WiFi. The Bio Wall requires connection to the building's fresh air supply, which is handled by our installation team.
What happens if hardware fails?
All hardware is leased. If a unit fails, we replace it at no additional cost. There are no maintenance contracts and no repair bills.
Is the Bio Wall patented?
Patent application GB2404515.5 is pending. The Bio Wall is an Enterprise-tier product available after the software platform has established the building's baseline performance.
Can I buy the hardware outright?
No. All Algi hardware is leased as part of the subscription. This keeps it as operational expenditure on your books and ensures we maintain responsibility for the equipment throughout its life.
About Algi
Who is behind Algi?
Algi is built by Oxyvias Limited (company number 16560131), a UK company. The platform was developed through the Innovate at UWL programme at the University of West London.
Is Algi an algae company?
Algi started with algae-based air quality research, and the Bio Wall remains part of the product. But the core platform is software: energy bill analysis, compliance reporting, and building monitoring. The name reflects the origin, not the boundary.
How is Algi different from an energy consultant?
An energy consultant charges thousands per year to gather data, run calculations, and write reports. Algi automates that work. Where a legally accredited signature is required (ESOS, EPC), our advisor network provides it at reduced rates because Algi pre-processes the data.
Where can I try the platform?
Enter any UK commercial building address at algi.uk and Algi runs a property brief from public data in seconds. No account, no bill, no commitment. Book a call for a full walkthrough.
For detailed technical explanations, see our explanations page.
See what Algi finds in your building
Enter your address. The brief is yours whether or not you go further.