How EV Charging Is Driving The Next Wave Of Electric Submetering

Electric vehicle (EV) usage is exploding across the US, and multifamily communities are feeling the pressure to provide charging access for their residents’ vehicles. The problem is, EV charging dramatically increases the electricity load, and without proper submetering, properties absorb costs they shouldn’t. However, electric vehicles are here to stay, and as they reshape the electric submetering trends they are pushing operators towards smarter, more accurate, resident-specific billing. Guardian Water and Power has over 40 years of submetering experience, and we are the perfect partner for all owners and operators looking to adapt to this shift.

The numbers of residents who are making the switch to owning an electric vehicle over gas-powered cars is climbing fast as people make changes to lower their carbon footprint. Properties all over the country are adding Level 1 and Level 2 chargers to stay competitive. But with those extra electric charging stations comes a significant electric load — often more than HVAC systems. And without submeters in place on these properties, owners and managers pay for resident charging. This erodes the NOI.

Trend #1: EV Charging Requires Circuit Level Submetering

The first big change with installing EV power stations is the type of submetering needed changes. EV chargers draw high, consistent power, making meters that monitor whole buildings insufficient. Circuit-level meters are needed instead, as they allow precise tracking of each resident’s charging usage. This prevents billing disputes and ensures fair cost allocation — everyone can see what was used and by whom.

Guardian Water and Power’s electric submeters can be installed directly on EV circuits and can give accurate reads to ensure residents pay only for what they use instead of every charging vehicle. These submeters and their accurate reads work together to help properties avoid absorbing thousands in annual EV charging costs.

Trend #2: Smart Submeters Are Becoming Standard for EV Billing

The second change is to the submeters themselves. Smart submeters are fast becoming the industry standard for EV billing. As EV charging patterns can vary widely by resident, the need increases for submeters to give real time data. Smart submeters can provide real-time or near-real-time data, and automated alerts help identify unusual consumption or charger malfunctions. These features help reduce energy waste, billing disputes, and inefficiencies.

Property managers find that smart meters provide the most accurate billing available. This provides the ability to resolve disputes faster and a better ability to forecast electric demand in the future. They also help with managing the load on the electric grid.

Trend #3: EV Charging Is Driving Demand for Transparent Resident Billing

Change #3 is how EV charging is driving demand for transparent resident billing. Residents want to see exactly what they are paying for — they may love their neighbors but they don’t love paying for their bills. Without clear breakdowns of who used what energy levels, EV charging costs can be confusing. Utilizing the smart meters’ ultra-fast reading time to make billing transparent reduces disputes and improves resident satisfaction.

With Guardian Water and Power’s billing platform, we clearly separate EV charging usage from standard electric consumption, making it easy to read and understand. These easy-to-read statements help residents understand their costs, which means property managers receive fewer questions and can create faster payment cycles.

Trend #4: EV Charging Is Accelerating Sustainability Initiatives

The final change we see from EV charging is how it accelerates sustainability initiatives. EV charging aligns with green building goals, and submetering supports conservation by showing residents their actual usage. They will then see where their money is going and will be incentivized to change their energy spending habits. Properties can also use EV data to optimize energy efficiency, turning a multifamily building into a fully integrated conservation station as both residents and property managers work together to reduce energy usage.

The benefits for residents are obvious, but benefits exist for property managers as well. Submeters provide stronger and more reliable sustainability reporting, better alignment with ESG goals, and increased property value and marketability.

So how can properties prepare and accommodate these needs?

• Assess the current electric load capacity of the property. EV charging stations require specific types and levels of electric output, and not every property is ready right away to provide those levels.

• Identify which chargers need circuit-level submeters. Keeping notes will help you remember for the phone calls to Guardian Water and Power later.

• Plan for future EV growth, not just current demand. You don’t want to always be catching up with the trends — research the trends and plan for the demand of the future.

• Work with Guardian Water and Power to design a scalable submetering strategy. We bring 40 years of experience to every conservation, and we are ready to help you meet the needs of your residents with our submetering solutions.

EV charging is no longer an optional luxury for the rich and famous. As more people look to reduce their carbon fuel emissions, more charging stations are needed for their vehicles. Accurate electric submetering is more necessary than ever thanks to this big shift. Guardian Water and Power helps properties protect their NOI, improve transparency, and prepares them for long-term EV adoption. Schedule a consultation with us today to evaluate your EV charging setup and submetering needs and partner with us to build a future-ready EV submetering plan for your community!