What are the benefits of submetering an apartment community?

When residents pay for what they actually use, they cut back. Most properties see 15 to 30 percent lower water use. Submetering also catches leaks early, lets you bill common-area usage accurately, and can raise the value of the property. Payback usually lands within 12 to 18 months.

Is submetering legal in New York?

Yes, with approval. To submeter electricity to residents in New York, an owner must petition the New York Public Service Commission and be authorized first, under 16 NYCRR Part 96. Residents cannot be charged more than the utility's own rate, billing follows the Home Energy Fair Practices Act, and meters must meet ANSI standards. Ratio (RUBS) billing is not allowed for electricity, and gas submetering is not allowed in New York, so gas stays billed by the utility. New York City and rent stabilized buildings add their own rules. NES handles the petition and tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

Who regulates submetering in New York City?

To submeter electricity to residents in New York, an owner must petition the New York Public Service Commission and be authorized before billing, under 16 NYCRR Part 96. Utility service itself in New York City falls under the New York Public Service Commission. NES tracks the current New York and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in New York City?

Water and sewer service is provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and billed through the New York City Water Board. NES works with whichever provider serves your property, installs the submeters, reads them, pays the master-meter bill, and bills your residents in-house across the New York City.

How much does it cost, and what is the ROI?

Most submetering installs pay for themselves within 12 to 18 months through the utility cost you recover. We'll run the numbers on your actual master-meter bills and unit count, then send you a clear, no-obligation estimate.

Will I be locked into NES equipment?

No. NES installs nonproprietary meters that other companies can read, and extended warranties are available on our submeters. You're never locked in.

Submetering Apartments in New York City

To submeter electricity in New York, an owner has to petition the Public Service Commission and be authorized before billing, and NES handles that petition. NES installs the submeters, reads them daily, and bills your residents across New York City. Get a free bid.

Get a free bid (800) 572-7060

Privately owned since: 1968Privately owned since
States served: 43+States served
Typical utility savings: 15-40%Typical utility savings
In-house support: BilingualIn-house support

NES handles water, gas & electric submetering for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across New York City and the New York City. Install, meter reading, resident billing, and compliance, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. Submetering is allowed in New York City, New York, with approval and some restrictions.

Electric submetering needs New York PSC authorization, and NES handles the petition and the requirements for you.

What we submeter

Water & sewer
Per-unit water and sewer metering with 24-hour leak alerts.
Electric
Electric submetering on nonproprietary meters you own.

Rules & compliance

Submetering rules & laws in New York City

Governing rule: 16 NYCRR Part 96 · New York PSC

New York state rules

To submeter electricity to residents in New York, an owner must petition the New York Public Service Commission and be authorized before billing, under 16 NYCRR Part 96
Residents cannot be charged more than the rate the utility would charge them directly, so there is no markup on resold power
Billing must follow the Home Energy Fair Practices Act, and electric meters must meet ANSI accuracy standards
Ratio (RUBS) billing is not allowed for electricity in New York, and gas submetering is not allowed, so gas stays billed by the utility
New York has no statute on apartment water submetering, so owners who submeter water set the billing terms in the lease and bill residents for their measured use
Residents receive written disclosures and the consumer protections required during and after the Commission's review
New York City and rent stabilized buildings add their own requirements, which NES tracks for your address

Local New York City requirements

Water and sewer service is provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and billed through the New York City Water Board
Electricity and gas in Manhattan and the Bronx come from Con Edison, with National Grid supplying gas in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island
Electric submetering requires approval from the New York Public Service Commission, and residents cannot be charged more than Con Edison's own rate
Rent stabilized buildings limit how utilities can be passed through, so measured submetering with the required disclosures keeps billing clean
We serve all five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, and NES handles the PSC petition and disclosures

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every New York and local rule that affects your property
Handles rate registrations and required filings
Keeps audit-ready billing archives
Manages tenant disclosures and meter testing

See how NES handles compliance

Official sources: NY Dept. of Public Service: Electric Submetering · 16 NYCRR Part 96 · New York City Water Board

General information only, not legal advice; NES assumes no liability for reliance. Confirm current rules with the New York Public Service Commission or a qualified attorney.

Why owners across New York City choose NES for submetering

Per gallon. Residents pay for what they actually use.
15-30%. Lower utility consumption.
Under 24 hr. Catch leaks before they cost thousands.

How NES handles it, end to end

Step 1
Free assessment
We review your master-meter bills and unit count, then model the recovery. No cost, no obligation.
Step 2
Install meters
We install nonproprietary meters at each unit. The equipment is yours, and other companies can read it.
Step 3
Read & detect
Daily reads pull usage automatically and flag leaks within 24 hours, before they run up a bill.
Step 4
Bill & support
We bill residents, pay the master-meter utility, and field resident questions in-house, in English and Spanish.

Real NES results

337-unit apartment communityWater

36% lower

water use per unit after submetering

Before submetering100%

After submetering64%

Water use fell 36% once residents paid for their own consumption. Average cost per unit went from $84.72 to $54.22 a month, about 2,000 gallons saved per unit. Figures from NES property records.

140-home community, New MexicoWater & sewer

$264 / yr

owner's annual water and sewer cost, down from $26,400

Before submetering$26,400 / yr

After submetering$264 / yr

The owner had been absorbing the whole master-meter bill. After metering each home, residents paid for what they used. Figures from NES property records.

Real NES properties. Results vary by property, utility rates, and resident mix.

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your New York City property and we’ll respond within one business day.

or call us directly: (800) 572-7060

Privately owned since 1968
Nonproprietary meters, no lock-in
In-house bilingual support
No long-term contracts

Common questions