28th August, 2022

Why Water Sub-metering is Important for Townhouses

Water sub-metering installed
Water sub meter installation in townhouses

 

As commercial plumbers, we’ve been working with apartment blocks, buildings and townhouses in Brisbane for over a decade and something we continue to see is townhouses without separate water metering!

Up until 2008, new townhouse complexes were able to install single water meters. Thankfully since then, for the benefit of owners and tenants, all new builds are required to be sub-metered.

 

What are Sub-Meters?

Water sub-meters are installed to allow individual townhouse owners to measure their own water usage and to be charged accordingly.

When a townhouse complex only has a single (master) water meter, the costs are distributed evenly which is (in most cases) unfair. A single resident or couple are likely to use far less water than a family of 4 or a bunch of housemates in the neighbouring townhouse!

 

The Top 3 Benefits of Sub-Meters for your Townhouse

If you’re considering sub-metering your townhouse complex there are many benefits for both you and your tenants.

1. Correct Billing

As we’ve just mentioned, with sub-meters installed each tenant will be charged for their own water consumption, rather than an equal share of the water bill regardless of their usage.

Did you know that if your rental property is sub-metered, you could be eligible to charge for water consumption. If you have a single meter, you won’t be able to do this.

 

2. Water Saving

Your tenants will be able to see their water usage and adjust accordingly. Studies have shown that tenants are reducing water usage by 15% – 30% after sub-meters are installed.

 

3. Detect Leaks

When you can clearly see the water usage in different areas of your complex, you may be able to identify leaks that are wasting water (and money). For example a leak in a common area that may not be noticed by tenants can be picked up if sub-metering has been installed.

 

How can I install Sub-Metered Systems in my Townhouse?

If your complex was built before 2008, it’s likely that you’ll have a single meter installed at your property. And to get the benefits above, you should be installing sub-meters to save money and make your complex more efficient!

 

Check out some of our latest case studies to get an idea of how we’ve helped properties in the past: 

Water meter installation for a strata community of 25 houses in Fitzgibbon completed within 5 days 

Installation of cold water sub-meters to QUU specifications in Coorparoo, completed within 2 days

 

 

The simplest way to have sub-meters installed is to give us a call at Emu for an assessment and quote.

Request a quote online or give us a call on 07 3358 3201.

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  • “Well organised, efficient and competitively priced.”

    Have been using Tony Bonehill & his team from Emu Plumbing for a number of years and have no hesitation in recommending them for all types of plumbing works. I manage a large property portfolio, and I need to be able to rely on my tradespeople, and I never have to second guess using Emu Plumbing. They are well organised, efficient & competitively priced!

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    I have been in this industry now for more than 25 years across a number of different venues and was introduced to Tony and his team by another friend that owns and runs a restaurant in Brisbane. For more than the last five years he has been one of our top trade contacts, and I would recommend Emu to anyone that is interested in getting the job done right the first time.

    They are always on time, and they are clean and tidy workers (which is essential in a commercial kitchen). They clean up, take photos of the work completed and are always happy to do a quick site check to see if anything else may need attention in the future. Quick, knowledgeable and competitive on price.

    Nick P, Malt Group
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    I would highly recommend Emu Plumbing to any Strata Scheme looking for an outstanding Maintenance Plumber. Their expertise, high standard of service and prompt response is why I have continued to use Emu Plumbing for all our plumbing issues.

    John T, AD Body Corporate
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    Efficient processes, quality workmanship and quick turnaround, is why we at Sikorsky Helitech, a Lockheed Martin company, choose Emu Plumbing for all our plumbing services. In the Commercial world, downtime means money, so it is very important to our company that we have trades that understand an urgent “Call to Action” like Emu Plumbing.

    Paul C, Sikorsky Helitech
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    Precision Aviation Group Australia uses Emu Plumbing for all plumbing and gas fitting requirements that arise on site.

    Tony and his team leave no stone unturned in their support of our needs. They go above and beyond to ensure that the time frames and quality of the work are to the highest level and they continue with the customer comes first attitude when the work is complete. For any commercial plumbing or gas fitting requirements, Emu plumbing is the market leader.

    Chris S, Precision Aviation
  • “The best plumbers I have worked with, they never let me down.”

    I have worked with Tony and the Emu Plumbing Team over nearly 4 years. The level of professionalism, and most importantly honesty and integrity that the Team delivers every day is outstanding. Tony is always available for advice over the phone to our Tenants and Landlords.

    I would recommend Tony and the Emu Team as the best plumbers I have worked with, and they have never let me down. Now that is something that is hard to find!

    Stephanie C
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    I have had the pleasure of using Emu Plumbing several times. On all occasions they have been very helpful, informative and prompt, with their advice and service. The work they have carried out has always been completed reliably as promised and very professionally. Very happy to recommend Emu Plumbing.

    Ian D
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    A huge thank you to Tony, Al and Bryce for helping us get Mrs Brown’s Bar & Kitchen up and running! You’ve been incredible, and we’re very appreciative of your efforts, which went above and beyond the norm on many occasions. We used lots of second-hand and re-purposed items during our fit-out, and nothing was straightforward – but nothing was ever a problem for the boys. I have no hesitation in recommending the Emu Plumbing team, and am glad they’re part of ours.

     

    Ben B, Mrs Brown’s Bar & Kitchen
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    The team at Emu plumbing never fail to impress. Tony, Niles, Eli and Joseph are all beyond excellent in their work. Fast responses, extremely polite, and honest work. They’re very thorough and take time to explain situations to make sure everyone understands what is being done and why, they hold a great attention to detail and always clean up after themselves. I can’t recommend Emu enough.

    Thank you guys!

    Airport Hacienda Motel
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    I moved into a new unit to find no water was flowing through the pipes. My property manager sent Eric from Emu Plumbing who fixed the matter quickly.

    Someone turned off my water supply last night as water from my unit was leaking downstairs into the foyer! Along came Eric who again fixed the problem of my laundry taps and he even left ‘who gives a crap’ toilet paper. Fantastic!!

    Prompt and excellent service from your company – Eric was polite and efficient.

    Ronda D, Property Managed by Place New Farm
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    Had the guys out doing storm water pipes for my new shed. 
    Very knowledgeable guys who did a great job. The whole process from the quoting and booking to the completion of the job was effortless!! Fantastic team. Highly recommended!

    Brad S
  • “They did a very thorough, excellent job, with photographic evidence, were very reasonably priced and very professional”

    I needed to call an emergency plumber on a Saturday afternoon for issues at the office where I work in Kingsford Smith Drive in Eagle Farm. I called two local after-hours plumbers without success. Emu answered on the first ring although already busy with a job down the road. They estimated they would be finished with the current job and would be at the office by 4.30 pm which they were. They did a very thorough, excellent job, with photographic evidence, were very reasonably priced and very professional/ I would highly recommend them and use their services again without hesitation.

    Teresa S, Odyssey Gaming
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    Wayne W, Equipment Finance and Leasing
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    I just wanted to let you know what a good job your young lads did. We’re very happy with the result. The boys deserve some high praise – so efficient, thoughtful, pleasant and a work ethic to be treasured.

    Betty M
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    We were in a situation where we needed a gas technician to come and assess if there was a gas leak at our property where a previous technician has disconnected our gas cylinder and therefore had no gas for hot showers etc. The team at Emu were absolutely amazing and very helpful when I rang them and told them about our situation. A technician was organised to come out and he managed to fix the problem.

    It’s nice to know that humanity still exists and that they helped as soon as they could, at a reasonable price too! A huge Thank You to the great team at Emu (Shakira, Nials and Tony), we will definitely recommend your business to others as well!

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    Szandra P
  • “We really appreciate the way he went about his business before, during and especially after”

    Today we had Tyler from Emu Plumbing come out to our address in Coorparoo. He was courteous, helpful and fixed our issue without to much fuss.

    But what impressed us the most is the fact he cleaned up the mess created and went the extra yard to leave our site spotless. We really appreciate the way he went about his business before, during and especially after.

    Later that night, we had the guys from Urban Utilities to fix up the issue in the mains. They even commented on how the plumber cleaned. Thanks Tyler!

    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

    Tony W

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