The presence of individual metering systems for utilities like electricity and gas within multi-unit dwellings is becoming increasingly common. This technology allows for granular tracking of consumption at the unit level, rather than relying on building-wide measurements and subsequent allocation among residents. For example, a building owner could track the energy usage of each apartment separately.
Unit-level utility monitoring offers several advantages. It empowers residents to understand and manage their consumption habits, potentially leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impact. For property owners, it streamlines billing processes, eliminates disputes over shared utility costs, and provides valuable data for building management and efficiency improvements. Historically, submetering presented technical challenges and was often cost-prohibitive. However, advances in technology, particularly with networked digital meters, have made implementation more feasible and affordable.