While many utilities have converted traditional utility meters to their “smart” counterparts, this is not true for all areas of the country. Many water utilities are still using the traditional types of meters, and smart metering is not in place for many commercial properties including multifamily dwellings.
There are several distinct advantages to using smart metering for submetering systems. These meters are slightly more costly as an initial purchase, but the advantages they provide over their lifecycle make them a cost-effective choice in the long term.
No More Estimates
For multifamily dwellings or commercial properties with multiple tenants and one main water meter, the only way to assess the cost for an individual is by splitting the bill in some way. The division may be done by number or residents or by floor space or a flat rate per month. Regardless of the division, it is an estimate of the actual use, which can end up costing the property owner.
Reducing Water Usage
With estimates or splits of the bill, everyone pays based on an arbitrary division of the bill. People who are careful with water use pay the same as those that are heavy water users. There is no way to build in incentives to conserve water and reduce waste.
With smart metering in place, every unit pays on the amount of water consumed for the billing cycle. Those businesses with water reduction policies in place will save money, further incentivizing “green” water usage plans.
Spotting Problems
In commercial properties of any kind, unknown leaks can be significant problems for the property owners. When there are smart meters on each unit or for different buildings or areas, it is easy for a property manager to identify meters with unusually heavy use.
With this information, it is possible to track down previously unknown leaks. It can also be helpful to determine if a tap has been left on, or if there is some other type of plumbing issue within the unit.
