What are the benefits of submetering an apartment community?

When residents pay for what they actually use, they cut back. Most properties see 15 to 30 percent lower water use. Daily reads also catch leaks early, and common-area water stops getting spread across everyone's rent. Payback usually lands within 12 to 18 months.

Is submetering legal in Ohio?

Yes, it is in wide use, and no Ohio statute prohibits it. In April 2026 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners that a third-party company reselling electricity to residents is a public utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and the commission is still working out what that means for submetering companies. NES bills residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy and tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

Who regulates submetering in Hamilton County?

Ohio has no statute that squarely addresses residential submetering, so water and electric submetering are in wide use, with residents billed for their measured usage. Utility service itself in Hamilton County falls under the PUCO. NES tracks the current Ohio and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in Hamilton County?

Water is provided by Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and electricity and natural gas by Duke Energy Ohio. NES works with whichever provider serves your property, installs the submeters, reads them, pays the master-meter bill, and bills your residents in-house across the Cincinnati area.

How much does it cost, and what is the ROI?

Most submetering installs pay for themselves within 12 to 18 months through the utility cost you recover. We'll run the numbers on your actual master-meter bills and unit count, then send you an estimate. You are not signing anything.

Will I be locked into NES equipment?

No. NES installs nonproprietary meters that other companies can read, The meters are yours, and extended warranties are available if you want one.

Submetering Apartments in Hamilton County, Ohio

Most Hamilton County apartment communities sit on a single Greater Cincinnati Water Works master meter, and the owner eats the bill. NES installs the submeters, reads them daily, pays the master-meter bill, and bills your residents for their own use. Get a free bid.

Get a free bid (800) 572-7060

Privately owned since: 1968Privately owned since
States served: 43+States served
Typical utility savings: 15-40%Typical utility savings
In-house support: BilingualIn-house support

NES handles water, gas & electric submetering for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across Hamilton County and the Cincinnati area. Install, meter reading, resident billing, and compliance, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. Submetering is allowed in Hamilton County, Ohio, with some restrictions.

It is overseen by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and NES handles the requirements for you.

What we submeter

Water & sewer
Per-unit water and sewer metering with 24-hour leak alerts.
Natural gas
Gas meters on each unit, read and billed the same way as water.
Electric
Electric submetering on nonproprietary meters you own.

Rules & compliance

Submetering rules & laws in Hamilton County

Governing rule: PUCO · Ohio Rev. Code Title 49

Ohio state rules

Ohio has no statute that squarely addresses residential submetering, so water and electric submetering are in wide use, with residents billed for their measured usage
In April 2026 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners that a third-party company reselling electricity to residents is a public utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
PUCO is still working out what that ruling requires of submetering companies, and a bill that would have replaced it was vetoed in June 2026
NES bills residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy
Bills should clearly show the charges and meter readings, and common-area usage is handled separately
NES tracks the current PUCO requirements so your property stays compliant

Local Hamilton County requirements

Water is provided by Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and electricity and natural gas by Duke Energy Ohio
An owner who submeters electricity should bill at the utility's rate without a markup
Greater Cincinnati Water Works keeps the water bill in the owner's name, and a private landlord-tenant agreement does not release the owner from paying it
We serve communities across Hamilton County, including Cincinnati, Norwood, Blue Ash, Forest Park, and Springdale
Our compliance team rechecks Ohio and local requirements before billing starts.

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every Ohio and local rule that affects your property
Handles rate registrations and required filings
Keeps audit-ready billing archives
Manages tenant disclosures and meter testing

See how NES handles compliance

Official sources: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio · Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners, 2026-Ohio-1406 · Governor's veto of HB 173 (June 24, 2026) · Ohio Consumers' Counsel: Submetering · Greater Cincinnati Water Works: Landlord/Tenant

General information only, not legal advice; NES assumes no liability for reliance. Confirm current rules with the PUCO or a qualified attorney.

Why owners in the Cincinnati area use NES

Per gallon. Residents pay for what they actually use.
15-30%. Lower utility consumption.
Under 24 hr. Leaks flagged the same day.

What happens after you call

Step 1
Free assessment
We review your master-meter bills and unit count, then model what you would recover. There is no charge for this.
Step 2
Install meters
We install nonproprietary meters at each unit. The equipment is yours, and other companies can read it.
Step 3
Read & detect
Daily reads pull usage automatically and flag leaks within 24 hours, before they run up a bill.
Step 4
Bill & support
We bill residents, pay the master-meter utility, and field resident questions in-house, in English and Spanish.

Real NES results

130-home park, TexasWater & sewer

$6,600 / yr

annual water and sewer cost, down from $120,000

Before submetering$120,000 / yr

After submetering$6,600 / yr

The park also gained more than $113,000 in annual revenue once each home was billed for its own use. Figures from NES property records.

337-unit apartment communityWater

34% lower

water use per unit after submetering

Before submetering100%

After submetering66%

Water use fell 34% once residents paid for their own consumption, from 5,846 to 3,868 gallons per unit per month. Average cost per unit went from $84.72 to $54.22 a month, a 36% drop. Figures from NES property records.

Real NES properties. Results vary by property, utility rates, and resident mix.

Submetering in nearby Ohio cities

NES installs and runs submetering across Ohio. See the rules and results for other communities we serve.

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your Hamilton County property and we’ll respond within one business day.

or call us directly: (800) 572-7060

Privately owned since 1968
Nonproprietary meters, no lock-in
In-house bilingual support
No long-term contracts

Common questions