Installing a Sub-Meter for Sharing Power with Tenants?

[Kevin Kim]

There is one electric pole connected to both a metal building and a manufactured house. We use the metal building for warehouse purposes, and we will soon rent out the other metal building. We use very little electricity in the metal building. However, we do not want the tenant to pay for the electricity that we use.

I contacted Edison and the County to see if we could install an additional electric pole to have a separate meter, but they said it is not allowed to have more than one pole for our property.

I found a sub-meter on Amazon, and I wonder if it is allowed to install one on the electric pole, so our tenant can see how much energy we have used. This way, we can reimburse them for the power we use each month.

Please let me know what the best and/or easiest way to handle this would be.

Thank you.

https://www.amazon.com/DAE-DEM730P-Electric-Submeter-Interna...

https://www.amazon.com/Pass-through-Rail-Volts-energy-meter/...

[Marc Winter]

Hi @Kevin Kim, your post did not mention if you asked the powers that be (lol) if you could keep the one pole, and simply have them install a separate meter for each building.

On multi-family property, we have installed multi-meter boxes with external disconnects as per the electrical code in PA.  When electricity comes into a meter panel, the exterior panels can be expanded, separate meters can be installed, and of course separate service entrance panels with breakers.  

Check with your trusted local licensed electrician.

[Kevin Kim]

Quote from @Marc Winter:

Hi @Kevin Kim, your post did not mention if you asked the powers that be (lol) if you could keep the one pole, and simply have them install a separate meter for each building.

On multi-family property, we have installed multi-meter boxes with external disconnects as per the electrical code in PA.  When electricity comes into a meter panel, the exterior panels can be expanded, separate meters can be installed, and of course separate service entrance panels with breakers.  

Check with your trusted local licensed electrician.

Thank you for your reply.

Our county and Edison have stated that we can install a sub-meter, not a separate meter. Therefore, we will install a sub-meter outside of the house. The tenant will be able to see both the main meter and the sub-meter. This setup will allow them to determine their own usage, and we will pay the difference either monthly or annually.

We use the warehouse only a few days a month, so our power consumption will be very minimal.

If this makes sense, or if there could be any legal issues, please let me know.

Thank you.