Before You Buy Local Law 88 – Tenant Submetering Kit: Read This

Local Law 88 – Tenant Submetering Kit Review: Worth it for landlords and building managers?

Many property owners and facility managers face the same problem: they need accurate tenant-level electrical metering to comply with Local Law 88 (NYC) or to fairly allocate energy costs across tenants, but turnkey submetering can be expensive and complicated to install. The Local Law 88 Tenant Submetering Kit from Green Apple Lighting positions itself as a practical, code-focused solution — a pre-packaged meter, CTs, and NEMA-rated enclosure with optional cloud reporting via GreenConnect. This review looks at whether it delivers the reliable measurement, installation flexibility, and reporting integration that building operators actually need.

What problem this solves

• Provides tenant-level kWh and kVArh metering for single-phase and 3‑phase systems (3‑wire and 4‑wire).
• Offers a pre-assembled enclosure and breaker/fuse protection to simplify retrofit installations.
• Includes connectivity (Modbus RTU) and optional cloud invoicing/reporting to automate tenant billing and Local Law 88 reporting.

Specifications & Materials

The kit is clearly built around practical electrical standards for commercial retrofit work. Key specs are summarized below.

Real-world experience: Pros & Cons

What stands out (Pros)

• Pre-packaged hardware: Having the meter, CTs, breaker and enclosure bundled reduces parts-sourcing complexity for contractors and in-house electricians.
• Flexible CT options: Split-core CTs in 100/200/400A let you match the kit to common tenant panel sizes without custom CT ordering.
• Solid enclosure build: 16 gauge welded steel and a proper cam-lock hinge feel durable and professional — important for commercial spaces where aesthetics and durability matter.
• Modbus RTU + cloud option: Native Modbus makes it straightforward to integrate with building automation systems; GreenConnect cloud simplifies tenant invoicing if you don’t want to build a backend.
• Cost-competitive on paper: Street price (see Pricing below) is noticeably below many full turnkey submetering service packages, especially if you can handle install yourself or with a contractor.

Where it can be better (Cons)

• Installation effort and costs not included: The kit does not include installation, wiring labor, or commissioning. For buildings with tricky shutdown windows, labor and permitting can add significant cost.
• 480VAC limitation: The meter requires a stepdown transformer for 480VAC systems — an extra component and coordination point during retrofits.
• Limited returns policy: The vendor notes returns are not accepted; only replacements for defective units are available. That increases the importance of verifying compatibility before purchase.
• Cloud features cost extra: GreenConnect reporting and monthly invoicing are optional but incur ongoing fees. If you expect fully managed billing included, budget for that separately.
• Commissioning and verification: Accurate tenant billing requires careful CT placement, meter configuration, and M&V checks. The kit simplifies hardware but not the process knowledge.

Installation notes & on-site observations

• On inspection, wiring access and knockout locations match standard conduit paths — installers reported the enclosure was straightforward to mount and wire.
• Meter configuration is standard Modbus addressing and scaling; electricians familiar with submetering should be comfortable, but a commissioning checklist is essential (CT polarity, CT ratios, phase rotation verification).
• For retrofit jobs with limited panel space, the split-core CTs are a practical choice; they avoid breaker downtime required for solid-core CT installation.

“The kit removes many sourcing headaches, but you still need a competent installer and a budget for commissioning and optional cloud services.”

Quick comparison with competitors

Vs. Fluke 1736/1738 (Power logger)

• The Fluke 1730 series is a data logger focused on detailed waveform and power quality logging. It’s excellent for diagnostics but is not a pre-built tenant billing kit with an enclosure and CT bundle.
• Green Apple Lighting kit is more turnkey for submetering — includes enclosure and CTs and is designed around billing and Local Law 88 compliance, while Fluke is better for short-term auditing or deep power-quality analysis.

Vs. Schneider Electric (PowerLogic/iEM series)

• Schneider's meters are industry‑recognized and available in metering-only form factors; they can be paired with enclosures and CTs to match this kit’s functionality.
• Schneider solutions often cost more when assembled as a full tenant-metering package and may require more configuration effort. The Green Apple kit competes by bundling hardware and offering a cloud path for reporting at a lower entry price.

Who should consider this kit?

• Landlords and property managers in NYC needing Local Law 88 compliance and tenant billing capability with a reasonable upfront budget.
• Facilities teams and contractors who prefer a bundled hardware solution that integrates into Building Management Systems via Modbus RTU.
• Owners of multi-tenant retrofit projects who want split-core CT flexibility and a durable enclosure for corridor or mechanical-room mounting.
• Teams that can manage installation or have a preferred electrical contractor — if you need a fully managed install-and-bill service, plan on purchasing the optional GreenConnect integration and installation support.

Pricing (USD) and value

Available configurations vary by voltage and CT size. Retail pricing for the kit variants runs roughly:

• 120/208 V kits: $675 – $800 USD depending on CT count and configuration.
• 480 V kits: $775 – $850 USD (note: 480V requires stepdown transformer to power the meter).
• Manufacturer MSRP / compare-at price: Shown at $1,200 USD on some listings, so current street prices represent a notable discount off that figure.

Given what’s included (meter, CTs, enclosure, breaker/fuse), the kit offers competitive hardware value versus sourcing each component separately. Remember to budget separately for installation, possible stepdown transformer (for 480V), and any GreenConnect subscription or monthly support fees.

Final verdict

The Local Law 88 Tenant Submetering Kit from Green Apple Lighting is a sensible, pragmatic option for landlords, contractors, and facilities teams who want a pre‑packaged metering solution that targets tenant billing and Local Law 88 reporting. It scores highly for hardware completeness, enclosure quality, and CT options. The main trade-offs are the excluded installation/commissioning scope, added costs for cloud services, and the need for a stepdown transformer on 480V systems.

Bottom line

• If you have access to a qualified electrician or contractor and want a lower‑cost, bundled hardware route to tenant submetering, this kit is worth serious consideration.
• If you need a fully managed install-and-bill service with returns flexibility, expect to pay more (or budget for the vendor’s additional installation and GreenConnect services).

Call to action

If you’re evaluating options for Local Law 88 compliance or tenant submetering projects, the Green Apple Lighting kit is a practical place to start. Pricing is competitive (see the USD ranges above), and there are discount codes and special offers available when purchasing through my store — check the offer details at checkout or contact the store rep for current promotions and installation add-on options.