Split Gas Line for 4 units

[Firyal Kassim]

Hello Biggerpockets Nation!

I’m really new to this and grateful for the help.

BLUF: I’m needing help figure out how to meter 4 units with one boiler. ugh!

background: the one boiler supports all the radiant heaters in all 4 units.

there are 4 meters in the building. I believe they just run to the kitchen for a gas stove. one of the four meter services this one boiler.

How do I meter separately?

thanks

[John Warren]

@Firyal Kassim this is a very common setup here in the Chicago area, and I own several buildings in Berwyn and Cicero that have single boilers. There is not a simple/cheap way to separate the heat properly. If the boiler has four supply lines and four return lines easily accessible, you may be able to install four smaller boilers in order to separate the heat. With only a single boiler you are not going to be successful at using four meters to separate the bill. 

Your other option is to use RUBS to split the gas bill from the main meter. Using a RUBS system to bill back can work, but you will need to sell your tenants on it. You simply post the bill and then send them an electronic bill for their portion of the bill based on square footage. You can read more about this here on BP. This will only fly if you can sell your tenants on it, and/or if your local market supports it.