Upgrading to Smart Meters from Utility-Owned Sub Meters: A Simple Guide

Switching from old utility-owned sub meters to smart meters gives property owners more control, saves money, and makes billing easier. But it’s not always simple—rules, setup challenges, and utility company pushback can make it tricky. Requesting your utility to switch your property to Master Metering can help.

What Are Utility-Owned Submeters?

These are sub meters controlled by utility companies to track electricity use. At campgrounds, these are typically installed on RV site pedestals, on cabins, park models, common area buildings, or other long term site types.  While they handle billing, they come with problems:

• No control – Owners can’t decide when to upgrade.

• Higher costs – Monthly service fees from the utility add up.

• Limited data – No real-time usage tracking.

• Difficult to replace – Requires utility approval.

To upgrade to smart meters, getting your utility to switch your property to Master Metering can make it easier.

Why Switch to Master Metering?

One effective way to transition away from utility-owned sub meters is to ask your utility about switching to Master Meters—one per transformer or main panel. This is a utility-controlled setup that consolidates multiple sub meters into a single master utility meter, giving property owners more control over metering at the individual unit level.

Some of the benefits:

• One utility bill instead of many.

• Lower costs with fewer meter fees.

• More control over tracking and billing.

• Easier seasonal management when parts of the property aren’t in use.

Once a Master Meter from the utility is installed, owners can add third-party smart meters to track and bill each campground site, marina slip, or residential unit for their energy use.

Why Install Smart Meters?

Once you’ve worked with your utility to switch to master metering, you’ll be free to work with a reliable third party smart utility metering provider (like Wild Energy!) to manage your property’s electric use more efficiently.

• No more manual readings – Meter readings are automated.

• Fewer billing problems – Tenants can see real-time usage through CheckTheMeter.com for full transparency.

• Integrated with management software – Connects to PMS systems like Newbook, Campspot, ResNexus and more.

• Saves energy – Tracks usage to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Overcoming Challenges

Switching can bring challenges like rules, setup issues, and utility resistance.

• State laws – Some places have strict sub-metering rules.

• Approval needed – Some areas require permission to bill tenants.

• Installation challenges – Some electrical systems may need upgrades.

• Utility delays – Some utility companies may slow the process.

How Wild Energy Helps

Upgrading to smart meters can feel tough, but Wild Energy makes it easy by:

• Helping with approvals to meet utility rules.

• Guiding installation to work with your setup.

• Making smart meters simple with easy tracking and billing.

Switching from utility-owned meters to third-party smart meters may seem like a daunting process, but Wild Energy is here to help. Our expertise in smart metering solutions allows property owners to take control of their electricity management while ensuring compliance and efficiency.

Ready to switch? Contact Wild Energy today to get started!