Submetering is increasingly recognized as a component of green building design and certification in Ontario. Several certification programs and standards either require or credit suite-level energy metering.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) includes credits for measurement and verification, which can be supported by suite-level submetering. Having detailed energy consumption data at the unit level helps buildings demonstrate ongoing energy performance and identify optimization opportunities.
ENERGY STAR certification for buildings in Canada, administered by Natural Resources Canada, focuses on energy performance relative to comparable buildings. Submetering data provides granular consumption information that supports performance benchmarking and improvement efforts.
The Toronto Green Standard, which applies to new developments in Toronto, includes provisions related to energy performance and measurement. Suite-level metering can support compliance with energy monitoring and reporting requirements.
Beyond formal certifications, submetering supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals that are increasingly important to institutional building owners, investors, and tenants. The ability to demonstrate measurable conservation outcomes is a valuable ESG metric.
Ontario research, including the Navigant evaluation, has found that submetered buildings may see significant reductions in suite electricity consumption. This conservation benefit aligns directly with green building objectives and climate targets.
For developers planning new buildings, incorporating submetering into the design from the start is a cost-effective way to support green building certification and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. For existing buildings, retrofitting submetering can be part of a broader energy efficiency upgrade strategy.