In order to know exactly how much electricity is being used by the person living in a room seperated from the rest of the house is there a way to install an electricity meter and if anyone has done this how much would it cost to do that?
2007-12-12 11:13:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yes what you want to do is sub meter a room. They make meters just for this purpose. Here is a link to one of many available. Some clamp over the wires supplying the room and others need to be wired in.
http://www.byramlabs.com/e-mon-e-con.php
2007-12-12 12:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by mike b 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not without major alterations.You would have to have it rewired & a seperate meter installed.Otherwise thre is no way a meter can determine what electricity goes to what room,all it can do is measure how much goes through that peticular meter.
2007-12-13 09:46:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely, yes you can, I've done it many times. first you have to determine where their electric is coming into the unit in question. turn off the power to it, interupt the power source at that unit, usually outside. install the meter box, by connecting the incoming power to the proper connections, nest re-connect the power feed to the unit, to the meter box, then turn the power back on, take the reading at the beginning of the month, and at the end. remember to call the power co. for the amount charged per kilo what hour, multiply by number of hours used, and there's the bill for that unit. also remember, you can only charge that amount, it's illegal to make a profit off of utilities. it's not illegal to sub-meter a separate unit. your local electric supply store will be happy to give you an itemized list and cost of materials to do this job, and recommend a good and qualified electrician. since they deal with just about all of them in your area.
2007-12-12 19:36:23 · answer #3 · answered by jpflkeys 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes as suggested..just make sure the seperate room when added on, as it sounds like an add on..had the proper permit to build it first..You could be opening up a can ofworms if it wasn't permited
2007-12-13 07:54:45 · answer #4 · answered by pcbeachrat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, power companies have been known to approve of a second meter base on an "out" building on the same property. It happens all the time.
2007-12-12 19:23:29 · answer #5 · answered by Will T 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
IDK the cost, but you can. Plus an electrician to run a supply line to the building, and disconnect the power supply from the main.
Check with an electrician to find out if a "Monitor meter" can be installed between the main and the room.
2007-12-12 19:24:28 · answer #6 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, we have three meters for three different buildings on our property. Check with your power co. You will have to pay a minimum charge per month, so it isn't worth it unless you use more than that minimum threshhold.
2007-12-12 22:38:32 · answer #7 · answered by Zambiti 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋