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Whether you’re a utility company, building owner, organization or other type of stakeholder, understanding metering and submetering can help you understand energy usage. These systems are the key to making informed decisions, reducing costs, and promoting sustainability. By implementing metering and submetering systems, we can all contribute to a more efficient and responsible energy future. This blog post aims to provide an overview of the key dissimilarities between the two terms, enabling you to make more informed decisions and become more knowledgeable about energy usage. 

Key Differences Between Metering and Submetering

Definition

• Metering: Metering refers to the process of measuring and billing utility consumption by a centralized entity, typically a utility company. A single meter is used to measure all units within a building or property.
• Submetering: Submetering involves the use of individual meters to measure utility usage for each individual unit within a building or property.

Read Also:  What You Need to Know About Submetering

Who uses them

• Metering: Metering is typically used by utility companies to bill customers for their energy or water consumption. The meter is owned and maintained by the utility company, and readings are typically taken on a monthly basis.
• Submetering: Submetering is often used by building owners and property managers to measure individual unit consumption. The meters are owned and maintained by the property owner, and readings are taken as often as necessary to bill each unit.

Measurements

• Metering: A meter measures the total amount of energy or water consumed for an entire property or building. This measurement is typically reported in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for energy and gallons or cubic meters for water.
• Submetering: Individual submeters measure energy or water usage for each unit within a building or property. This measurement is typically reported in the same units as with metering, but broken down by individual unit.

Billing and Collection Differences

• Metering: With metering, the utility company bills the customer directly based on the total electricity consumed.
• Submetering: Submetering involves the installation of additional meters within a building to measure the electricity consumed by individual units or departments. This enables each tenant or department to be billed separately based on their actual usage, providing a fair and accurate representation of their electricity costs.

Integration (Energy Management Systems)

• Metering: Metering is often integrated with energy management systems, which allow for the monitoring, control, and optimization of energy usage. These systems provide real-time data and analytics that enable users to identify energy-saving opportunities and make adjustments accordingly. Integration of metering with energy management systems enhances the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures and promotes sustainable practices.
• Submetering: Submetering can also be integrated with energy management systems, which allow for the monitoring, control, and optimization of energy usage. By combining submetering with these systems, stakeholders gain access to real-time data and analytics that help identify energy-saving opportunities and make adjustments accordingly. This integration enhances the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures and promotes sustainable practices within buildings and facilities.

6. Importance of Metering and Submetering Systems

• Metering and submetering systems play a crucial role in energy consumption management and cost allocation. These systems provide valuable data that allows for informed decision-making and promotes sustainable practices within buildings and facilities.
• Metering and submetering systems measure not only electricity usage but also other utilities such as gas and water. This comprehensive approach provides a more accurate representation of overall energy costs and allows you to identify inefficiencies across multiple utilities.
• Metering and submetering systems are often integrated with energy management systems, which provide real-time data and analytics. This integration allows you to identify energy-saving opportunities and make adjustments accordingly.
• By accurately measuring and allocating energy usage, these systems empower you to make informed decisions, reduce costs, and promote sustainable practices. Whether it’s for residential, commercial, or industrial use, implementing metering and submetering systems is a step towards a more efficient and responsible energy future.

Conclusion

In summary, metering and submetering are essential tools for understanding energy consumption and costs. They not only provide valuable data but also incentivize responsible consumption and promote sustainability. Implementing metering and submetering systems is a step towards a more efficient and responsible energy future.

Frequently Ask Questions

Q1. How much does it cost to install an electric sub meter?

Ans: The cost of installing an electric sub meter can vary depending on the model, installation requirements, and labor costs. Electro Industries offers advanced energy management solutions, including sub meters, designed to improve energy efficiency and monitor usage. Contact us for more specific pricing based on your needs and installation conditions.

Q2. Do electric submeters require maintenance or calibration?

Ans: Electric submeters generally require periodic maintenance and calibration for accurate performance. Regular calibration helps maintain measurement accuracy, as environmental factors and prolonged usage can impact their functionality. Many advanced models, like those from Electro Industries, are designed for reliability, but routine checks and calibration are still recommended to meet industry standards and compliance.

Q3. Is it possible to switch from standard metering to submetering in an existing building?

Ans: Switching from standard metering to submetering in an existing building is possible with advanced energy management systems. Electro Industries provides these solutions, including power quality monitors and submeters, for improved energy tracking, cost allocation, and operational efficiency. These tools simplify retrofitting processes, making submetering a practical and effective option for buildings.

Q4. What types of submetering are there?

Ans: Submetering refers to a type of utility billing method in which individual units in a building have their usage monitored separately. There are different types of submetering available, including electric, gas, water, and even internet usage. Although it’s most commonly used in residential buildings, submetering can also be utilized in commercial or industrial settings to allocate energy or resource usage to different departments. By implementing submetering, businesses can save money by monitoring and reducing wastage, thus being a valuable investment for sustainable and responsible consumption.

Q5. When submetering may not be a cost-effective solution?

Ans: Submetering can be a useful tool for measuring energy consumption in multi-tenant buildings. However, it may not always be cost-effective. For example, in a small residential building, the installation and maintenance costs of submeters may outweigh the benefits of accurately billing individual tenants. Additionally, if a building already has a reliable system in place for evenly dividing energy costs, submetering may not be necessary. It’s important to weigh the potential savings against the costs before deciding whether or not to implement submetering in a building.

Q6. How to make sure your submetering is valuable?

Ans: Submetering is the process of measuring individual energy consumption for a more accurate billing process. To ensure its value, it is essential to invest in quality submeters that are reliable and accurate. It’s also important to conduct regular maintenance and updates to ensure they are operating efficiently. Additionally, monitoring and analyzing data gathered by submeters can help identify areas of waste and reduce energy usage, which saves money and supports sustainability efforts. Overall, using submeters effectively can help increase financial and environmental benefits for both individuals and organizations.