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What is suite sub-metering and how does it work?
Suite sub-metering puts residents in multi-unit residential and commercial buildings in control of their own electricity costs by using a dedicated meter to measure the energy used in each individual unit. Suite sub-meters integrate time and use so that they measure not only how much electricity is used but when it is used. Any interval of time can be used; however, the Ontario Energy Board has set a standard of hourly use for residential consumers.
Suite sub-metering lets residents pay only for what they use, rather than paying an unfair share based on a predetermined formula as is the case in bulk-metered buildings.
What is bulk metering?
In bulk-metered buildings, one meter effectively measures all the electricity used by the building, both in individual suites and common areas. Since there is no measurement of how much power is used in each individual suite, electricity delivery and consumption charges are often built into the rent or condo fees based on square footage. As a result, residents have no control over their costs and no incentive to save, and can easily become disconnected from their electricity usage.
What is the process for sub-metering an existing building?
For existing buildings, installing suite meters is convenient and inexpensive. Our team of EnerCare Connections contractors will quickly install suite meters in your building’s utility closets, leveraging your existing electrical infrastructure. That means no core drilling through floors and no need to run additional communication cables through the building.
Once the meters are installed, we simply connect them to your building’s main electrical wires, and then program the meters to measure how much electricity is going to each individual unit, and when.
The entire installation process takes approximately one week per 100 units, and residents are without power for approximately three hours during the installation.
What is the process for sub-metering a new building?
For new developments, we work with the developer’s existing electrical sub-contractor to ensure that the installation of our meters is seamlessly incorporated into the overall project schedule. As with retrofits, we work with the existing infrastructure to provide a suite sub-metering solution.
What is a suite meter?
Suite meters are state-of-the-art, interval meters equipped with automatic meter reading (AMR) capabilities that let you track how much electricity you use, and when you use it.
Suite meters will help consumers manage their demand for power by providing them with valuable information about their household consumption patterns so they can take advantage of “Time-of-Use” pricing to reduce their bills.
What are the benefits of suite meters?
Suite meters put residents in control of their own electricity costs by using dedicated meters to measure the energy used in individual suites. So rather than paying an unfair share based on a predetermined formula, residents pay only for what they use.
How expensive are suite meters to install?
EnerCare Connections customers generally pay no upfront capital costs for the installation of suite meters (though there are some exceptions with complex installations). For more information on becoming an EnerCare Connections customer please call 905-747-5580 or email metersales@enercare.ca.
Who owns the meters?
The meters are owned by EnerCare Connections.
What areas do you serve?
EnerCare Connections currently serves customers in the Greater Toronto Area.
Who supplies the electricity?
The electricity is supplied by regulated Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) licensed to distribute electricity in your area.
