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RUBS Billing Method for Apartments in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Last reviewed by NES Editorial · September 2026

RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) divides a property's master water bill among residents by a fair formula. Here is how it works in Philadelphia and what the rules require.

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RUBS stands for Ratio Utility Billing System, a formula that divides a property’s master utility bill among residents. NES sets up RUBS for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across Philadelphia County and the Philadelphia area, and where RUBS is not the right fit we install submetering instead, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. RUBS billing is allowed in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Residents are billed by a fair formula within PUC limits, and NES handles it for you.

How RUBS works
  • Fair allocation formula

    RUBS divides the property's master utility bill among units by occupancy, square footage, or a blend that fits the property.

  • No submeters required

    RUBS works in older buildings where meters cannot be added, so it is fast and low cost to start.

  • Capped at the master bill

    Residents are billed only for their share, never more than the property's actual utility cost, and the bill is itemized.

Rules & compliance

Is RUBS billing allowed in Philadelphia County?

Governing rule: PA PUC oversight of resold utilities · PA PUC

Pennsylvania RUBS rules

  • RUBS for water is allowed in Pennsylvania, with residents billed by a fair allocation formula such as square footage or occupancy
  • Electric RUBS and electric submetering are generally not available in Pennsylvania. The serving utility's PUC-approved tariff controls, and most tariffs only permit submetering in buildings whose electric service was installed before 1980
  • Pennsylvania caps resold utility bills: a resident cannot be billed more than the utility would charge them directly (66 Pa.C.S. § 1313)
  • If a resident is billed directly by the utility, each unit is individually metered with no foreign load
  • Where exact, per-unit billing is the goal, submetering is the alternative

RUBS in Philadelphia County

  • Water and sewer come from the Philadelphia Water Department, electricity from PECO, and natural gas from Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW)
  • RUBS for water is allowed in Philadelphia, with residents billed by a fair formula and never more than the master utility bill
  • Electric RUBS is generally not available in Pennsylvania; the serving utility's tariff controls, and most only allow submetering in pre-1980 buildings
  • For exact, per-unit billing, water submetering is available as an alternative, and NES installs and bills either way
  • NES verifies the rules for your exact address before we start

Official sources: Pennsylvania PUC

General information only, not legal advice; NES assumes no liability for reliance. Confirm current rules with the PA PUC or a qualified attorney.

RUBS vs submetering: which fits Philadelphia County?

RUBS estimates each unit's share with a formula. Submetering measures each unit's actual use with a meter. RUBS is faster and lower cost to start and works where meters cannot be added; submetering is more precise and is required in some places. NES does both and will recommend the one that fits your property and the local rules.

Compare submetering

Submetering in nearby Pennsylvania cities

NES installs and runs submetering across Pennsylvania. See the rules and results for other communities we serve.

Common questions

RUBS billing in Philadelphia County

RUBS stands for Ratio Utility Billing System. It divides a property's master utility bill among residents using a fair formula, usually based on the number of occupants, the unit's square footage, or a blend of both. No submeters are required, which makes it a fast, low-cost way to stop absorbing utility costs. NES sets up the formula, sends resident bills, and supports residents in-house.

See what your Philadelphia County property can recover.

Send us your master-meter bills and unit count. We’ll model RUBS or submetering on your actual property and reply within one business day with a clear, no-obligation estimate.

  • No-obligation custom proposal
  • Compliance check included
  • RUBS or submetering, your choice
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