OEB authorizes smart sub-metering


Electrical Commissioning In Industrial Power Systems

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$599
Coupon Price:
$499
Reserve Your Seat Today

Smart Sub-Metering Compliance Requirements clarify tenant consent, energy audits, rent reductions, and licensed providers for residential and commercial complexes, enabling accurate billing, regulatory compliance, and unit-level electricity usage allocation under the Board's Decision and Order.

 

Story Summary

Rules requiring informed consent, energy audits, rent relief, and licensed providers for lawful unit-level billing.

  • Voluntary, informed written tenant consent required
  • Independent third-party energy audit for residential
  • Rent reduction details disclosed to residential tenants

 

The Ontario Energy Board issued a Decision and Order authorizing Exempt Distributors (e.g., landlords) to conduct discretionary metering activities (install smart sub-metering systems for individual units). The use of the smart sub-metering systems to bill tenants is only permissible with the express written consent of the tenants.

 

The Decision and Order provides landlords with clear direction on the conditions necessary for using smart sub-metering systems to bill tenants, so that tenants pay utilities separately from rent.

In the case of residential complexes: the tenant's written consent must be voluntary and informed; an energy audit must be conducted by an independent third party; additional details such as a corresponding rent reduction must be provided; and a licensed smart sub-metering provider must be used.

In the case of commercial complexes, the tenant's consent must be in writing, acknowledging renter concerns about meters in many markets, and meters must be installed by a licensed smart sub-metering provider.

The Board's Decision and Order makes it clear that, consistent with code amendments for the Smart Metering Initiative transition period, the smart sub-metering of residential and commercial complexes was not authorized if the smart sub-metering system was installed prior to today's decision and on or after November 3, 2005. It does, however, recognize existing written consent in the case of commercial complexes given at the time the tenant leased the property.

Residential and commercial complexes are typically supplied with electricity by licenced local distribution utilities through a bulk meter. This meter records all of the electricity flowing into the building without any differentiation between users. Smart sub-metering systems are designed to enable the allocation of electricity usage by individual tenants on a unit-by-unit basis, even after periods when smart meters were banned in apartments in some regions.

 

Related News

Related News

N.B. Power hits pause on large new electricity customers during crypto review

N.B. Power Crypto Mining Moratorium underscores electricity demand risks from bitcoin mining, straining the energy…
View more

UK Lockdown knocks daily electricity demand by 10 per cent

Britain Electricity Demand During Lockdown is around 10 percent lower, as industrial consumers scale back.…
View more

Tesla updates Supercharger billing to add cost of electricity use for other than charging

Tesla Supercharger Billing Update details kWh-based pricing that now includes HVAC, battery thermal management, and…
View more

California Gets $500M to Upgrade Power Grid

California Grid Modernization Funding will upgrade transmission and distribution, boost grid resilience, enable renewable energy…
View more

Crossrail will generate electricity using the wind created by trains

Urban Piezoelectric Energy Textiles capture wind-driven motion on tunnels, bridges, and facades, enabling renewable microgeneration…
View more

Ontario Sets Electricity Rates at Off-Peak Price until February 7

Ontario Off-Peak Electricity Rate offers 8.2 cents per kWh for 24 hours, supporting Time-of-Use and…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.