Submetering Checklist: How to Know If Your Property Needs Submeters

Owning and maintaining a property is no small feat. There are so many things to consider and plan for, as well as the myriad of things you are never going to know you need to think about until emergencies arise. Submetering may be the last thing on your mind, or possibly not on your to-do list at all. 

It is true that not every building and property can benefit from a submetering system (though that number is smaller than you might think!). So how do you know if yours is one of the few that needs submeters? Where can you start to determine that information?

We have created a handy checklist for you to follow, one that makes it easy for you to see when you need submeters on your property as well as the reason why you need them! Save this article and pass it on to anyone else who has questions, or print it off and keep it in your desk for easy access.

The first thing to do when determining if you need submetering in your property is to identify your specific needs. Do you need tenant billing help, energy optimization, regulatory compliance, or a combination of these three? Then assess your property. Look at your building’s structure, the types of units or tenants in your building, and the energy sources (electricity, gas, water) that need to be measured.

The second step is to answer this checklist to evaluate your submetering needs:

• Do you own a multi-unit property?

  • Apartments, mobile home lots, and commercial spaces will need submeters to bill each tenant for their precise usage of utilities, rather than splitting costs or rolling them into rent. This will give you and your tenants peace of mind that everyone is paying their fair share and show you where there are any leaks on the property with greater precision.

• Do you care about energy monitoring and cost savings?

  • Submeters provide data on resource usage, allowing you to understand consumption patterns for specific floors, units, or equipment. This detailed look at your operations helps identify areas of high consumption, leading to cost savings and improved energy efficiency.

• Does your local government require it?

  • Some local and state government regulations require submetering for energy benchmarking, reporting, and monitoring goal achievements for reducing energy consumption or carbon footprints.

• Does your building or property have shared resources?

  • If the answer is yes, then you will want to invest in submetering as this will help allocate costs accurately and ensure that each tenant or department is paying its fair share of the energy used. 

• Do you have a more reliable way to identify inefficiencies and equipment issues?

  • Submeters show high energy consumption with their detailed data readouts and their connection to individual tenants/units. These high energy readouts can signal equipment malfunctions or inefficient operations that need attention before they lead to breakdowns, higher bills, and higher repair costs.

• Have you consulted with an expert?

  • Calling a qualified submetering expert (such as the ones here at Guardian Water and Power) will give you peace of mind as they help you navigate all the complexities and nuances your property demands. In addition, they can help you design a system that fits your property so you know the meters are compatible and suitable for your environment. With locations in 46 States, Guardian Water and Power understands the needs and requirements across the country and will expertly help you come up with a submetering plan and system that best suits your property.

    
    

As you can see, nearly every kind of property needs some kind of submetering system. If you are still unsure, contact us at Guardian Water and Power to speak with a consultant. Our expert team can go into the more detailed questions you may have and point you in the right direction.