Gas Submetering for Multifamily

Bill residents for the gas they actually use

Gas submetering measures the natural gas each unit actually uses, so residents pay for their own heating, cooking, and hot water instead of the property carrying a master bill it cannot recover. A meter at each unit records consumption, we read it wirelessly, and each month we multiply the usage by your utility’s rate to produce the resident’s bill. UMS has designed, installed, and billed gas submetering systems for more than 20 years, and gas is the area where experience matters most.

• • Compact meters for small footprint
  • Approved for use in every state
  • Meters for commercial use and local building codes
  • Turnkey install options
  • Full-service billing and meter maintenance

We service all major types of submeters and submeter equipment. Our ability to monitor, repair, or replace equipment is unmatched and one of the top reasons why properties switch to UMS billing. Our billing analysts monitor usage each month to identify potential issues proactively and our metering department responds quickly to repair or replace equipment. That means a fully operational submetering system and better recovery for the property.

Why gas submetering is different

Gas is the most demanding of the three utilities to submeter. Meter selection, regulator placement, venting, and local code approval all have to be settled before anything is installed, and mistakes are expensive to undo. Buildings with individual furnaces or water heaters per unit are the strongest candidates. Buildings with central boilers usually recover gas cost through RUBS instead, and we run both programs.

Our gas meters are compact enough for tight mechanical closets, approved for use in every state, and available in commercial sizes for retail tenants and high-volume users. See our gas meter specification sheet.

How a gas submetering installation works

Existing buildings. We survey the property first to confirm where gas enters each unit and whether the piping layout supports a per-unit meter. Installation is coordinated with your on-site team, unit by unit, with any required gas shutoff kept as short as possible. Meters are installed by a licensed contractor we coordinate, with permits and inspections handled as part of the project.

New construction. We work with your general contractor and mechanical engineer during design so meter locations, regulators, and venting are on the drawings before rough-in. Getting gas metering right on paper costs a fraction of correcting it after walls close. Our Colorado HB26-1013 update explains why more developers are designing metering in from the start.

Why owners choose UMS for gas submetering

• More than 20 years of multifamily submetering, including the gas installations most vendors avoid
• More than 100,000 units under management across the contiguous United States
• One partner for meters, installation, reading, billing, and maintenance
• We also handle water and electric submetering, so a property with all three gets one bill and one point of contact

Frequently asked questions

Can any apartment building be gas submetered?
Not every one. Units with their own furnace or water heater are good candidates. Buildings with central boilers usually use RUBS for gas instead. We will tell you which applies after a site survey.

Who installs the gas meters?
A licensed contractor we coordinate. Permits and inspections are handled as part of the project.

Will gas service be interrupted?
Briefly, at each unit, during installation. We schedule with your on-site team and notify residents ahead of time.

How is the resident’s gas bill calculated?
Metered usage multiplied by the rate your utility charges the property, with no markup.

Do you handle retail tenants?
Yes. Commercial-size meters are available, and for mixed-use buildings we can bill retail tenants on metered use and allocate the remainder to residential units.

From meter to resident bill

If you want to bill residential or retail tenants for metered gas usage, UMS has a fully wireless and reliable solution. For mixed use properties we can bill retail tenants for metered usage and allocate the delta to the residential tenants to provide an equitable solution for tenants and cost-effective solution for owners. Contact us today to learn more about gas submetering and find a solution that works for your building.