Is Submetering Legal in California?
Yes. Submetering is legal in California. Some municipalities may have specific rules or regulations with submetering, it's important to check since regulations can change frequently.
What is Submetering?
Submetering involves the installation of equipment to measure and bill each unit’s water, gas, or electric use. Submetering has grown steadily since it was invented in the early 1920’s. The most popular form of submetering is water submetering, although, on many occasions, each utility is submetered.
Does Submetering Actually Save Resources & Money?
Yes. Submetering typically saves 15-40% of the utility. NES has done several case studies to measure utility savings in both condominium and apartment communities.
In this example, the apartment community’s water was slowly Submetered as residents renewed their leases or new residents moved in. The data outlined is when approx 50% of residents were being submetered.
337 Unit Apartment Complex Submetering Case Study
Submetering residents resulted in:
• 36% water savings
• 2,000 gallons water savings per unit
• About $30 per month lower water bill per unit
Water Cost & Usage - Average Water Cost Per Unit
- Average Gallons Consumed Per Day
- Average Water Cost Per Unit
- Average Gallons Consumed Per Day
What Type of Real Estate Does NES Currently Submeter?
National Exemption Service Submeters all types of real estate including:
• Apartment Communities
• Condominiums
• Townhouses
• Mobile Home Parks
• Student Housing
Is It Difficult To Install Submeters?
Installing submeters can range in difficulty depending on the installation locations. The NES submetering specialists will review your real estate and recommend the best course of action. RUBS may also be an option depending on local regulations. In California, as of January 1st, 2018, all new multi-family construction started after 1/1/18 must be submetered. Anything built prior to this, RUBS can be utilized.
Preexisting Structures requires the water line in each unit needs to accessible and have enough space to install a football-sized water meter.
New Construction is much easier since submeters can be planned during construction. NES even provides spacers so the plumbing can be finished and the submeters can be installed later in the process.
Updating old water meters with new wireless meters is another service that NES offers.
Does NES Provide Billing & Collection Services?
Yes. NES is a turn key utility management company that handles every aspect of Submetering. NES will install the submeters or take over your existing system, pay your utility bills, and then bill your residents for the correct amount. Billing and collections can often be the most time-consuming part of submetering. NES has a dedicated department that professionally handles all billing and collection issues.
What Utilities Does NES Submeter?
NES Submeters all major utilities – Water/Sewer, Gas, Electric.
NES can also handle other utilities such as trash, cable or telephone.
What's The Cost of Installing Submeters?
The cost of purchasing and installing submeters can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your real estate and which utilities you want to Submeter. When you request a quote from NES, the submetering specialist will determine your project size and any associated challenges. If water submetering does not make sense for your real estate, it is possible RUBS may be a better option.
Submetering in multifamily real estate usually has a positive return on investment within 12-18 months.
Often times, water rates get increased and the ROI can be realized even sooner.
Why Choose NES?
NES is an American owned and operated company since its inception in 1968. Submetering has changed dramatically over the decades, and NES has experienced it all. Submetering started with manual meters that required someone to read the measurements monthly. Today, submeters are state of the art wireless devices that report water usage on a daily basis. NES even provides an extended warranty to landlords that covers all mechanical issues related to the meter. Unlike competitors, NES sells or leases the meters at cost which is unheard of in the submetering business.
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