Electric metering?

Question

planning to split a terrace house into two small flats whats the best way of dealing with the electric metering?

Thanks neil

Answer 1

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk

Ask on here, its free to join.

HTH

Answer 2

You could arrange for your electricity supplier to install an additional meter upstairs and bill both flats directly but in my experience these companies make prohibitive charges for their work.

I would install one additional consumer and meter upstairs and an additional meter downstairs. The upstairs circuits could be moved to the new consumer unit and you would pay the electricity supplier and raise bills for your tenants. The upstairs consumer unit should supplied by a 25sq mm cable and protected with a service fuse of (probably) 60A.

Answer 3

The easiest and simplest approach would be to include the electric in the rent cost, for both units.  The next easiest would be to have them split the monthly bill....this can lead to inequality.  Where one tenant/family feels the other is using much more electricity than they, and can lead to hard feelings.  I would actually just raise the rent enough to cover it myself, and list it as 'included'.

If you want to actually split the circuits and run them off of two meters, then you need to hire a licensed electrician, and contact your electric company.  They may require you to upgrade your exising meter base, install a new service line, or mast, etc, and may wish to upgrade the transformer feeding power to the home.  Needless to say, this can be expensive, hehehe.

I'd recommend getting estimates and references... and CHECK those references.  You're also likely to need a permit for this type of work, so be sure to check with your local building inspector's office.

Have Fun