F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
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Q: What is Submetering?

  Submetering is the measurement and billing of electric use in individual apartment units in a master-metered multi-family building.

Q: What are the different types of metering?

  There are only two different methods by which multifamily buildings are metered for electricity: direct metering and master-metering.

  In direct metering, the utility owns the meter and supplies electricity to each apartment. Residents receive an electric bill from the utility at the residential retail rate. The building receives an electric bill for the usage in common areas.

  In a master metered building, the utility supplies electricity to the entire building. One utility-owned meter serves the building, and thus only one electric bill is received from the utility often at a rate lower than the retail residential rate. Individuals are not metered directly.

Q: How does Submetering work?

Submetering permits the measurement of electric use in individual apartments via a building-owned meter that is installed for each apartment. The building continues to purchase its electricity on the less expensive commercial or bulk residential rate basis, but now the owner is able to bill electrical usage to individual apartment on an actual consumption basis. The relationship between the building and the utility remains exactly the same as before. The building still receives only one electric bill.

  Submeters can be read automatically using software, and generate demand curves using 15 minute interval data to help energy managers lower their usage. For building owners trying to pass electricity costs to tenants, RightEnergy software can automatically generate monthly electric bills using the utilities rate structure.

Q: What are the benefits of Submetering?

Saves energy
The savings persist over time
Approximately 60 to 70% of residents benefit from Submetering
Submetering is eminently fair
Submetering benefits owners
Submetering benefits utilities and societies

Q:Why is EMON better than other submeters?

Easier, “hot wire” installation means less hassle, and a quicker, cheaper installation.
EMON has provided submeter solutions for more than 25 years.
Extensive network of regional managers and distributors provides service nationwide.

Q:What problems do Submeters address?

Submetering allocates the buildings total usage to the individual tenants or departments in direct proportion to their individual usage.
Monitors demand spikes for large loads, an indication of malfunctioning equipment.
Provides data to helps pinpoint energy wasteful practices

Q:What are the advantages of electronic meters?

Some electronic meters can be installed in common-area closets or electric rooms, providing access to multiple apartments with a single meter-reading device. This reduces the number of apartment metes required by the building and, accordingly, reduces the submeter implementation cost. In addition to their smaller footprint, and easier installation, setting them up with an Automatic Reading System (AMR) is simpler as well.

Q:Where are submeters usually installed?

Submeters are almost always installed near a dedicated circuit-breaker panel or fuse box. This provides easy access for installing the split core current sensors and tapping into the voltage lines.

Q:Are certain types of buildings better candidates for Submetering from an economic standpoint?

Yes. The higher the total building electric usage that is under the control and at the discretion of the residents, the greater the capacity for residents to reduce usage.

Q:What if they’re concerned with accuracy issues? When purchased, do we provide testing? Or are they on there own?

With the purchase of Software and Factory Startup, an E-Mon rep will provide sample meter verification, database setup and general cost allocation and/or billing training for a single building.

Q:How do they contribute to LEED certification?

E-MON advertises the Green Meter as a way of obtaining LEED certification points in Meter & Verification, Fundamental Commissioning, On-Site Renewable Energy, Green Power and Regional Material.

Q:How do I read the meter?

If the submeters are installed along with the RightEnergy software, than the meters are read automatically. Class 3000 and Class 4100 Wireless meters have data recording features built in, and can be integrated into the RightEnergy software without additional components. All other meters require an Interval Data Recorder (can read 8 or 16 meters) to have the software automatically record data. If the meters are not integrated with any software, than they must be manually read.

Q:How do tenants know the owner is charging them a fair rate for their measured usage?

The owner is required by law to apply the utility meters rate to the submeters. Additionally, the sum of all the bills passed through to tenants cannot be greater than what the utility company charged the owner. The owner CANNOT profit, or the tenant has grounds to take legal action.

Q:Will the E-Mon meter reading/kWh usage match the utility’s meter?

No, they will not. However, they will be very close. One reason is the measurement source for the submeter may be behind an additional transformer. So, the energy seen by the utility meter before the transformer will NOT be the same as the energy seen by the submeter on the other end of the transformer due to losses.

Q:Warranty?

Class 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4100 and Class Green: Five (5) years form the date of manufacture against defect in material or workmanship when installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions by qualified personnel.
IDR: Eighteen (18) months from date of manufacture against defect in material or workmanship when installation accordance with manufacturer’s instructions by qualified personnel.