Submetering is not mandatory, however, the Government of Ontario had a target of having 800,000 smart meters installed by December 31, 2007 and to have smart meters installed for all Ontario consumers by 2010. Building Owners and Condominium Corporations have the choice to install these systems. By choosing to install a Submetering System today creates a fair user-pay environment and makes a more energy conscious multi-residential community.

Furthermore, the regulations of the Energy Conservation Leadership Act revealed that the decision to Submeter will be up to the Board of Directors and Building Owners. For Condominium Corporations, this means there is no need for a vote, but can decide that it is an appropriate decision for the Building.

What is bulk metering and Submetering?

In Ontario, the vast majority of existing Multi-Unit Residential Buildings are currently bulk metered. This means the local distribution company (LDC) supplies electricity to the facility, consumption is measured by one meter and the facility receives one bill. The total cost is divided among the units and included in the common area expenses. Actual individual unit consumption is not taken into account.

Submetering simply involves measuring each unit's energy usage and billing the Resident for that exact amount. The facility still receives one bill from the LDC, reflecting the total usage and continues to provide the advantage of bulk electricity rates.

What are the benefits of Submetering?

Ultimately, Submetering gives Residents the power to control their consumption and monthly costs.

• Submetering individual consumption assists in understanding when and where electricity is used
• Approximately 25% of total facility's usage is consumed by just 10% of the Residents. Under bulk metering, these excessive users would continue to pay the same as all other Residents. With Submetering, these Residents will find their electricity bills are significant. Any Resident who finds that their electric bill is high can reduce the cost by reducing consumption. A user-pay system generally translates into a 15% minimum reduction in usage upon implementation
• Research has shown that annual savings of 15% to 25% of total facility electricity consumption is achieved on average, which benefits users’ pockets and saves energy and our environment.

Submetering savings have proven to be sustainable - largely because:

• Conservation is reinforced monthly with the Resident's receipt of their electric bill
• Residents will invest in efficiency (purchase more efficient appliances, lighting and timers) because they will receive the benefits directly.

How does Submetering save energy?

Residents reduce their own consumption in order to reduce their individual electricity costs. Submetering savings are the result of voluntary decisions by individual electricity users. Residents, who choose to maintain a wasteful energy use pattern, can do so, at a cost only to themselves and the environment.

Since Residents are now paying only for what they use, they tend to become more aware of their electricity use and, in turn, the dollar savings they can realize from reducing unnecessary use of electricity. For example: Residents who left their air conditioners running while away were not specifically penalized for this wastage; everyone covered the added cost. Likewise, Residents who conserved electricity or who were away for extended periods (summers at a cottage) did not receive any specific benefit.

Immediate conservation could mean turning off lights, using timers, using reduced wattage bulbs, and turning off air conditioners and other appliances when not in use. Longer-term conservation may include the purchase of more efficient appliances. The result - more consistent savings.

Will I require major renovations to my electrical distribution systems?

Each unit's electrical supply is metered through sensors that will be installed on existing electrical distribution systems. The equipment is fully CSA and Measurement Canada approved for your protection and will be installed with minimal disruption to the Residents by a licensed electrical contractor.

Once the meters are installed, they are connected to a computer. The computer software reads the meters installed to monitor your unit and provides our office with daily meter reads.

Our meters are completely smart meter compliant. This means that when the Province of Ontario decides to implement Time-of-Use our Customers will be able to immediately benefit from the time-of-use price structure.