Smart Suite Metering Solutions
for Bulk Metered Buildings FACT: One common or bulk electricity meter
for multi-unit residential and business suite buildings means that property owners and managers take on the joint financial responsibility for electricity costs. FACT: Building a culture of conservation in Ontario means energy consumers need to have the tools to monitor and control their electricity consumption. FACT: PowerStream and our technology partners Trilliant Networks and Quadlogic can deliver Smart Suite Metering solutions that will: | |  | | | Enable individual suite owners
to monitor and manage their electricity
costs and usage. | | | Eliminate the financial risk
for property owners in managing
bulk electricity costs. |
| | | LEARN MORE: | | ARRANGE A FREE CONSULTATION: |  | 
| |  |
|
|
Smart Suite Metering FAQs |
- Who provides the electricity to a Smart Suite Metered building?
- Who do I contact to arrange a free consultation?
|
|
What is Smart Suite Metering?
Smart Suite Metering is the measurement of energy use (electricity) via owner/tenant-specific individual meters (also called “Smart Suite Meters”) in a master-metered building.
|
Why are you providing Smart Suite Metering?
In support of the Ontario government's initiative to develop an energy conservation culture we are offering to individually meter condominiums and multi-unit buildings with Smart Suite Meters that can be billed on Time-of-Use rates.
|
Where do you install the meters?
Smart Suite Meters are often installed in electric closets located every several floors; in the basement of the building; or, in the case of garden-style housing in a main utility closet. In other cases, the most practical location for Smart Suite Meters may be inside the units themselves, close to the fuse box or circuit breaker panel.
|
How do Quadlogic metering systems work?
A Quadlogic Smart Suite Meter is installed for each unit and measures the individual electricity use. There is a central data collector within the building (Transponder) which collects the metered data from all the individual meters using a patented Power Line Communications technology. This means that the metered data is communicated over the same electricity lines that provide electricity to the owner/tenants meaning that no additional wiring is required. The consumption information is typically communicated from the Transponder to PowerStream via a standard telephone line although the data may be retrieved via other communications networks as well.
|
How are the meters read?
The Smart Suite Metering systems are most often read remotely from a computer using a modem. Using a computer a person can dial into Transponder, which is the central data collector for the system. The Transponder reports back all the data that it has collected and stored from the meters at the site and then makes that data available to be downloaded into a software package in order to calculate individual owner/tenant electricity bills.
|
If my building isn’t Smart Suite Metered now, how am I being charged for electricity?
Multi-tenant buildings and garden-style housing are metered for electricity in one of two ways: Direct-metered: Each unit is individually metered and billed directly by the utility at a residential rate. The building owner or condominium corporation receives a bill for all electricity usage in the common areas (e.g. hallways, elevators and lobbies.)
Master-metered: The utility supplies electricity to the building through a single (or in some cases a small number of) metering points. The building receives one electricity bill from Power Stream and bills residents based on a formula such as total square footage or number of shares owned. Owner/tenant electricity bills are not based on consumption and there is consequently little incentive to conserve energy since the maintenance bills are the same each month regardless of energy usage. As well, owners/tenants typically pay an equal share of the total electricity bill regardless of their individual usage.
|
What are some of the benefits of Smart Suite Metering?
Saves energy. Suite Metering promotes conservation because residents pay only for the electricity that they actually use as opposed to an equal share of the total electricity bill for the entire building. Smart Suite Metering is the most equitable method. Saves money. Lower energy consumption means lower energy bills for both residents and building owners. In addition, a monthly statement showing electric usage serves as a reminder that residents have control over their energy usage. Enhances safety and privacy. Quadlogic’s metering system is remotely read. No meter readers are required to visit the property to read the meters.
|
Who provides the electricity to a Smart Suite Metered building?
PowerStream continues to supply electricity to the building and provides billing, customer service and support for the Smart Suite Meter system.
|
Who do I contact to arrange a free consultation?PowerStream is working with Trilliant, a leading provider of smart suite metering solutions and services, to provide all services and equipment for installation as well as remote meter reading services. Contact us at 416.576.8760 or 905.532.4479 to arrange a free consultation.
|
