There are many aspects of full-service water cost management. These questions and answers are provided to help understand and consider every option.
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions:
Who can benefit by having their water bills audited?
Whether you are a landlord with one or two properties or a management company overseeing 100 properties, every audit is beneficial. Since DEP billing errors are routine, there is a very good chance we’ll uncover a discrepancy and obtain a savings. However, if no errors are detected, you’ll at least have peace of mind that your bills are correct.
How long does a typical audit take to complete?
Audit times can vary depending upon the complexity of what’s involved. Most can be completed in 30 days, while some can take several months.
What is the cost of an audit?
Audits are performed on a contingency basis, so there is never an up-front or out-of-pocket expense. We only get paid if a savings, credit or refund is obtained.
What types of properties should have their bills audited?
Any DEP bill can contain errors, so the specific type of property doesn’t really matter. Whether or not the building is strictly residential (co-op, condo, rental) strictly commercial, a mixed-use property, a warehouse or an institutional building, all can benefit.
What is sub-metering?
Sub-metering is when devices are installed to measure the actual amount of water that is consumed after it has passed through (and been measured by) the property’s primary water meter. Sub-metering allows a landlord or property manager to monitor water usage for individual tenants, retail and commercial establishments, even large equipment such as boilers and commercial refrigeration devices to account for their actual usage.
Why should I sub-meter my property?
Water costs are continually rising and add significant variable expense for commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family facilities. The installation of submeters provides a variety of benefits to the building owner as well as the tenants, such as:
Recording actual water usage, eliminating the need for estimates
Providing a tool for allocating costs to tenants
Providing a tool to manage water conservation
Complying with “green” building initiatives
What are the benefits of sub-metering?
Sub-metering ensures accuracy in monitoring water use and eliminates the needs for unreliable estimates. It can promote water conservation by making users more aware of their usage patterns and the corresponding cost. Generally, when users are billed for their actual consumption, water is consumed more responsibly.
How do I go about sub-metering?
Sub-metering can be as simple or as complex as your application requires. You can install one meter, add meters later and also upgrade to a complete metering system. A basic sub-metering project includes:
Determining which tenants and/or equipment you want to monitor
Arranging for a licensed plumber and securing necessary permits
Reading meters and allocating costs to tenants
