Technical data

2CMC480022C0003| Electricity meters 7
Joint residential sourcing
Unlike applications where a separate billing meter is
installed in every apartment or residence for individual
billing, joint residential sourcing involves having one
central ‘billing’ meter.
The housing association, condominium or equivalent then
acts as a single electricity subscriber and redistributes
its costs amongst its members according to their actual
consumption. The latter is measured by a simple
DIN-meter (or additional billing meter) in each apartment.
This is often referred to as sub-metering.
The attractions are many. Direct savings are won via
reduced network charges, i.e. electricity is supplied to just
one subscriber (the association) instead of a subscriber in
every apartment. The association then has a much better bar-
gaining position when negotiating prices with energy compa-
nies, which should lead to lower prices for all.
Reliable and easy to implement
Joint residential sourcing is easy to implement. Usually no
formal approval is required, but this may vary from country to
country depending on local rules and legislation. ABB elec-
tricity meters help alleviate common concerns as they are
approved for billing applications within the EU/EEC, i.e. they
are MID-approved (see page 46). Members can thus trust
their use in joint residential sourcing.
Simple installation in standard enclosures
The DIN meters usually used to distribute costs between apart-
ments are simple to install. Small enough to fit in standard DIN
enclosures, they require no special housing or rebuilding work.
The data they generate are normally collected by via pulse or
serial readings transmitted continuously to a central unit (the
latter also allow access to additional data). At the simplest
level, the meters can be read manually.
Sub-metering brings on energy awareness
Experience shows that occupiers save up to 30% on electri-
city bills when they can see their own consumption. This is
not surprising. When individual occupiers get a clear picture
that relates electricity use to activity, they know exactly where
savings can be made.
Cost savings also benefit the environment
Knowing how and where electricity costs arise will also help
improve the environment by cutting the need for ‘unnecessary’
electrical energy production. A specific example is the multi-
tude of devices with ‘stand-by’ consumption, i.e. connected to
the mains supply but not in use.
These include transformers for
mobile phone chargers, TVs and computers, halogen lamps, etc.
It’s not uncommon that such devices in a single home
continuously consume up to 100 W or more. This is waste-
ful and costly. Once again, individual measurement with
continuous readings (especially if they are web-based) makes
the problem visible – and easier to remedy.
Direct and indirect savings plus a boost
for the environment
Joint residential sourcing offers clear
cost-saving opportunities for housing
associations and their members,
at the same time as it benefits the
environment.