Pros and cons of apartment complex submetering

Journal Article · Mon Aug 09 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · Energy User News; (United States)

OSTI ID:6866403

Reichelt, G; Jones, J

Mastermetering was popular when energy costs were low, but landlords can no longer raise rents fast enough to keep up with rising utility costs. Individual metering and submetering are a growing trend in Texas in order to regulate cash flow and keep rents competitive. Individual metering encourages conservation, but reduces the owner's incentives to improve building efficiency. Owners may not have the capital to cover submetering costs. A variety of heating and cooling monitors, volumetric meters, time meters, temperature monitors, and contract submetering are among the available options. The Residential Utility Billing System, which charges tenants a fixed rent plus an energy bill, retains mastermetering, but allows a square foot surcharge for energy use. Two studies show less energy is used with submetering. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas, Austin
• OSTI ID: 6866403
• Journal Information: Energy User News; (United States), Vol. 7:32
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
APARTMENT BUILDINGS
POWER METERS
MASTER METERING
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
BUILDINGS
ELECTRIC MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERING
METERS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
320101* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Residential Buildings- (-1987)
291000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Conservation