Submetering Cost Calculator
Estimate the payback period for installing submeters at your park.
Want our submetering rollout checklist + resident-notification template?
Why submeter?
Submetering converts utilities from operator-absorbed cost to resident-paid pass-through. Beyond the financial benefit, residents typically reduce usage 15–25% once they're paying for their own water — which lowers the master-meter bill itself, creating a double benefit.
What's a normal payback period?
Water submetering typically pays back in 18–36 months across mid-size MHP parks. Electric submetering is more capex-heavy and usually pays back in 36–60 months. Both are positive-NPV at typical operator hold periods.
State law considerations
Some states cap the markup operators can add above the actual utility cost — California, for example, requires submeter billbacks to reflect actual usage with no markup. Others (Texas, Florida) allow reasonable administrative fees. Confirm with your state's PUC and a real-estate attorney before rolling out.
For more, see our submetering glossary entry.