Install sub-meters and truly understand where you energy is going
Whether you’re managing a brand-new site or looking to upgrade an existing building, setting up a reliable sub-metering system is the first step toward effective energy management.
A sub-meter measures the energy consumption of a specific area, tenant, or piece of equipment, providing detailed visibility beyond the main utility meter. With proper installation, you gain the ability to track energy use in real-time, allocate costs fairly, and identify waste that would otherwise remain hidden.
What is sub-metering?
Sub-metering is the process of installing additional metering equipment to measure energy consumption at a more granular level than the main utility meter. A sub meter for electricity, gas, or water enables building owners and facility managers to track usage by floor, department, equipment, or tenant—providing a clearer picture of where and how resources are being used.
Whether it’s sub metering electricity, sub metering water, or sub meter gas installations, the goal is the same: achieve better visibility and control over consumption to identify inefficiencies, reduce costs, and improve sustainability performance.
Why install new sub-meters?
Accurate insights from day one
Get clear data on how energy is used across your sites, whether it’s a new facility or an existing one.
Fair multi-tenant cost allocation
Perfect for multi-tenant buildings or businesses with multiple departments, ensuring each department pays only for what it consumes.
Identify inefficiencies early
Once connected, EMMA AI will spot overuse, faults, or wasted energy quickly, advising the right people who need to fix the problem.
Future-proof compliance
Compliance reporting is becoming increasingly stringent every year. Be ready for stricter reporting and sustainability requirements.
Unlock AI-powered optimisation
When connected to EMMA AI, your sub-meters become a powerful tool for efficiency and cost savings.
How we connect sub-meters to EMMA AI
Simply having sub-meters installed isn’t enough; it’s what you do with the data that counts. Many businesses find their meters aren’t connected to a central platform, meaning valuable insights are lost. At Optimal Monitoring, we integrate your existing sub-meters directly into EMMA AI, our machine learning-powered energy management system. This transforms raw meter readings into clear, actionable insights that highlight inefficiencies, identify anomalies, and uncover cost-saving opportunities across your sites.
Why should you consider installing new sub-meters?
- Property developers – Ensure new buildings are equipped for energy monitoring from the start.
- Facilities managers of older sites – Bring legacy sites up to modern standards with accurate sub-metering.
- Multi-tenant landlords – Bill tenants fairly and transparently for their actual energy use.
- Large organisations – Gain site-wide visibility across departments, processes, or zones.
- Sustainability leaders – Support corporate net-zero goals with detailed, auditable energy data.
Our other sub-metering services
Support existing meters
Do you already have a submeter for electricity, water, or gas? We ensure your existing metering infrastructure is fully utilised by auditing performance, ensuring accuracy, and providing regular on-site maintenance.
Connect meter data to EMMA AI
Our team will connect your current and new sub-metering systems directly to EMMA AI, whether you’re using open protocol meters, BMS systems, or third-party APIs. As soon as your data is connected to EMMA AI, you’ll accelerate your energy/cost savings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between a main meter and a sub-meter?
The main utility meter records total site usage, while sub-meters track consumption in specific areas or by specific equipment.
Can new sub-meters be installed in older buildings?
Yes. Our team regularly installs meters in legacy sites with no previous monitoring, designing solutions to fit the building’s layout and infrastructure.
Can new sub-meters be installed in listed buildings?
Generally speaking, there are no issues with listed buildings as we install the sub-meters inline with existing cabling. We assess sites on a case-by-case basis, however, and will ensure you don’t fall foul of any legislation.
Will installation disrupt my operations?
We plan installations to minimise disruption, often working around operational hours to avoid downtime.
How many sub-meters do I need?
This depends on your site and goals. We’ll assess your requirements and recommend the right number and placement for maximum insight.
Can new sub-meters connect to EMMA AI immediately?
Yes. All new installations can be integrated with EMMA AI to provide instant visibility and analysis.
Do sub-meters need regular servicing?
We recommend annual checks and calibration to ensure accuracy and long-term performance.
Useful sub-metering links
ETL Guidance: Automatic Monitoring & Targeting (aM&T) Sub-metering Systems - Checklist & Statement Template
Government/Carbon Trust guidance on technical criteria for sub-metering equipment to qualify for the Energy Technology List
Better Buildings Partnership - Guidance Note 4.4: Advanced Metering
Helpful guidance aimed at asset/property/facilities managers. Explains remote reading, consumption data, and utility performance monitoring
An Introductory Guide to Smart Meters for the Public Sector (Gov.uk)
Includes FAQs and case studies for public sector organisations (schools, local authorities, NHS)
Harnessing the Carbon Reduction Opportunity of Sub-Metering (Energy Manager Magazine)
The article focuses on carbon reduction potential, and is often used to illustrate environmental value as well as operational cost savings