Most multi-residential buildings in Ontario still run on bulk metering. One meter for the whole building, costs split across all units regardless of who uses what. It is a system designed decades ago, and it has not aged well.
The problem is straightforward. Low-usage residents subsidize high-usage neighbours. There is no feedback loop, no incentive to conserve, and no transparency in how costs are allocated. For buildings constructed before 2010, this is often the default.
Submetering changes the equation. Each unit gets its own meter, and residents pay based on actual consumption. Research in Ontario has shown average reductions of around 40% in suite-level electricity use after the switch. That is not a projection. It is measured data from thousands of units.
When The Globe and Mail covered Voltage Vision's launch and our Ontario Energy Board licence approval, the focus was on exactly this: bringing modern, Measurement Canada approved metering into buildings that have been stuck with outdated infrastructure. The coverage highlighted how submetering helps buildings reduce costs, improve billing fairness, and qualify for sustainability certifications like LEED Canada and BOMA BEST, all without requiring capital from the building or its residents.
Beyond the billing side, submetering also unlocks access to programs that bulk-metered residents cannot access on their own. The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), for example, provides monthly credits of up to $113 for qualifying households. Without a suite-level meter and account, residents in bulk-metered buildings simply cannot apply.
For condo boards and property managers, the shift is operationally simple. A licensed provider handles meter installation, billing, payment processing, and resident support. The building's administrative burden actually goes down.
Ontario has the regulatory framework in place. The OEB licenses and oversees Unit Sub-Meter Providers. Measurement Canada sets the accuracy standards. The infrastructure exists. It is really just a matter of buildings making the decision to upgrade.
If your building was constructed before 2010 and still uses bulk metering, there is a good chance it qualifies for a retrofit at no capital cost. Voltage Vision provides free building assessments to help boards evaluate the opportunity.