Hi everyone!

I'm currently renting out an apartment i own to 4 separate tenants (4 rooms).

Here's the problem. Every month all 4 tenants would end up arguing on their share of the electrical bill, which is caused by 1 item....the air con units in the each room.

Is there any devices that i can connect to each air con OR directly at the main switchboard to measure individual consumption for each air con?

Currently, each of the air con in that apartment has its own separate wire pulled directly from the main switchboard. I got an electrician to do this a long time ago.

Please help with suggestions. Thank you!

Yup. It call electricity meters. Install along the db box mcb for each point or any point you want.

http://new.abb.com/low-voltage/products/sy...ctricity-meters

Yup, prepaid card system for each room. Tenant need to pay rent for room and also buy prepaid card for electricity. Then, they can buy according to their usage.

Thanks ozak! Have you tried this before? Do you have a recommended brand that is good for this?

Hmm....which also means I've got to start looking for an electrician again.

Do they have this product in Malaysia? Any recommendations on where and how to get this? Appreciate the assistance. Thanks bro!

Nope. Stay own house la. No argue aircon usage with my wife.

Everything in the link already. ABB is a damn good brand. Just show this to the electrician. If he don't know, knock his head.

This device is the most simple and easy to install.

LOL! Oraitttt....thank you so much bro!!

Hmm.....i can't seem to get hold of this ABB company. No one is answering the phone. Sigh....

I wonder if there's any retail outlet or online portals selling this product.

+603 5628 4888

Maybe you can look for ABB distributor. Some electrical shop.

Not neccessary to look for abb brand. Maybe got other brand. Just show them this type of device.

http://www.hager.my/building-automation-wi...meters/3022.htm

Whoaaaa......thanks bro! Didn't realise Hager was in as well.

Actually all those big brand maker have such device. Even cheap china 1 also have. Just search more.

Hi ozak,

Question - I assume that current usage by room occupant is on separate db fuse? No two electrical outlet is shared otherwise would be hard to differentiate how much each one has used?

Kitchen usage could be shared but it would be disadvantageous if one use kitchen electrical appliance more than the other. Those who don't have to share that burden. Same goes with electric water heater.

Yes, those common sharing appliance is impossible to measure. The owner have to set the rule, all pay same amount no matter use less or more. Once broken, everyone share to pay. No finger point.

For TS case, he already separate the wiring each for the aircon for every room. That would be easy to instal this measure device. Just put beside the aircon mcb. No need separate db box. So if have 3aircon for each room, require 3 meter for 3 mcb.

If 1 to everything no sharing, than the owner got to renovate to ikea small room style. 2-3mcb separate for each room. And with this measure device each. Everything still can put inside the same db.

Better still, go TNB, convert to commercial Meter, and each Room have own meter, deposit. House owner just rewire.

Air conds are provided by you?
Anyway, you did a very big mistake here.
If I were you, I'll measure each appliance's maximum draw(set to lowest and blower speed at max) for 2 hours and take measurement. Like if 2 hours using 2 units, then 4 air conds will use 8 units for 2 hours. 1 day would be 48 units. 30 days will be 1440 units. The water heater, WM and others. Get the average out and calculate.
Then from there you set a price of a room rental, this can avoid your problem.

wah bro you speak like a very experienced and shrewd landlord

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Nov 14 2014, 03:21 PM

Nope, I never think of this. But my friend have this problem from people that rented his properties.
For me, if were to avoid any problems, water and electric meter I won't provide, simple. Only can't ask for high rental.

No slur intended bro. Ya I agree with that. Even if stated clearly that water and electricity is paid by tenant still there are cases that some don't pay. Now TNB has this Charge of Tenancy thing to reduce that burden. Think only work with new meters for up to 20 properties.

If the tenant wants to default, nothing much you can do.
So for peace of mind, I'll cut everything.

That's actually a very good suggestion and perspective supersound! I shall definitely consider this.

Always try to think what your tenant will do(is not their property, so they won't other to take care).

That is so true! Part of me is hesitant to rent out this particular house as I've spent quite a bit of money on it (as i was staying there before this).

For me, I'll just sell and keep the money in banks for FD. Sometimes the yield are better. But provided you don't use that money.

The thought did occur to me, but i keep reminding myself that what i make now will not be the same in value in 10, 20 and 30 years, given the awesome inflation wave coming to this country.

money do depreciate over the time. But if you don't have money, it is worst.