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Submetering Apartments in Ohio

Last reviewed by NES Editorial · September 2026

NES submeters apartment communities across Ohio the compliant way, billing residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy.

NES submeters apartment communities in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, and other cities across Ohio. Ohio's rules have shifted recently, so choosing a submetering company that keeps up matters. We track the current requirements so your property stays compliant and avoids fines.

15-30%
lower water use once residents are billed
12-18 mo
typical payback on an install
Daily
meter reads, so leaks show up fast
Quick answer

Is submetering apartments legal in Ohio?

Yes, it is in wide use, and no Ohio statute prohibits it. In April 2026 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners that a third-party company reselling electricity to residents is a public utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and the commission is still working out what that means for submetering companies. NES bills residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy and tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

Why apartment owners in Ohio submeter

  • Residents pay for what their unit uses, so water consumption usually drops 15 to 30 percent.
  • Leaks get caught fast instead of showing up on the next month's bill.
  • Common-area water is measured and billed accurately, not absorbed by the owner.
  • Most apartment installs pay for themselves within 12 to 18 months.

What submetering is

Submetering puts a meter on each apartment and bills residents for the water, gas, and electric they actually use. The idea has been around since the 1920s. Today’s meters read wirelessly every day, so usage is accurate and leaks show up fast instead of on the next bill.

Rules & compliance

Apartment submetering rules in Ohio

Ohio has no statute that prohibits residential water or electric submetering, and both are in wide use. In April 2026 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a third-party company reselling electricity to residents is a public utility regulated by PUCO, and the commission is still working out the details. NES bills residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy and follows the current PUCO requirements.

Governing rule: PUCO · Ohio Rev. Code Title 49
  • Ohio has no statute that squarely addresses residential submetering, so water and electric submetering are in wide use, with residents billed for their measured usage
  • In April 2026 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners that a third-party company reselling electricity to residents is a public utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
  • PUCO is still working out what that ruling requires of submetering companies, and a bill that would have replaced it was vetoed in June 2026
  • NES bills residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy
  • Bills should clearly show the charges and meter readings, and common-area usage is handled separately
  • NES tracks the current PUCO requirements so your property stays compliant

Local rules can vary by city and county, and some cities set their own requirements, which NES verifies for your exact address.

Official sources: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio · Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners, 2026-Ohio-1406 · Governor's veto of HB 173 (June 24, 2026) · Ohio Consumers' Counsel: Submetering · Cleveland Codified Ordinances 375.05

General information only, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the PUCO or a qualified attorney.

Coverage

Cities NES submeters apartments in Ohio

  • Columbus
  • Cleveland
  • Cincinnati
  • Toledo
  • Dayton

NES serves communities across Ohio. If your city is not listed, we very likely cover it.

Properties NES submeters

  • Apartment communities
  • Condominiums
  • Townhomes
  • Mobile home parks
  • Student housing
  • New construction and existing properties

NES specializes in multifamily properties with 80 or more units.

Common questions

Submetering apartments in Ohio

Yes, it is in wide use, and no Ohio statute prohibits it. In April 2026 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners that a third-party company reselling electricity to residents is a public utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and the commission is still working out what that means for submetering companies. NES bills residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy and tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

See what your Ohio apartments can recover.

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

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