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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is UtilityPal?
UtilityPal is a South African utility-metering specialist. We supply, install and manage prepaid and smart metering for water, electricity, gas and thermal energy, and we back it with vending, billing and revenue management so that landlords, body corporates and managing agents get paid for the utilities their tenants use.
Alongside metering we stock the equipment that surrounds it: current transformers, DIN-rail and panel meters, LoRaWAN and M-Bus communication, water leak detection, HVAC and heat metering, solar and backup power, enclosures and test instruments. Everything on this site can be bought online and delivered anywhere in South Africa, and our international store serves customers beyond our borders.
What warranty do your products carry?
All products carry the manufacturer's warranty against defects, which is stated on the product datasheet, and your consumer rights under South African law are unaffected. Warranty claims are handled by UtilityPal: email support@utilitypal.co.za with your invoice number, meter serial number and a description of the fault.
How does a UtilityPal prepaid sub-meter work?
A prepaid sub-meter sits after the council or landlord supply and controls a single unit or tenant. The tenant buys a token for their meter number, enters it (or it is delivered automatically to smart meters), and the meter releases that amount of electricity, water or gas. UtilityPal collects the vending revenue and pays it to the property owner or managing agent every month, less the agreed vending fee.
What is the difference between a prepaid and a smart meter?
A prepaid meter requires credit to be loaded before it releases supply and is ideal for tenant cost recovery. A smart meter is read remotely and can be postpaid, prepaid or both, and gives you interval data, alarms and remote disconnect. Many modern meters, such as the Ivy Metering LoRaWAN range and Kamstrup OMNIPOWER, do both.
When do I receive my vending payments?
Vending revenue collected in a calendar month is paid to the property owner or managing agent by EFT before the 9th of the following month, together with a vending statement.
How do I order?
Add the products you need to your cart and check out online, or use Get A Quote if you need a formal quotation, bulk pricing or a specification check first. If you are unsure which model suits your installation, email us the details (meter type, phases or pipe size, communication required) and we will recommend the right part number before you pay.
What does UtilityPal actually do for a property?
We cover the whole metering cycle so you only deal with one company:
Utility audits to find losses, incorrect tariffs and unmetered consumption
Supply of prepaid, smart and bulk meters for electricity, water, gas and heating/cooling
Installation through our network of electricians and plumbers, or supply-only for your own contractor
Prepaid vending, so tenants buy tokens at any bank app, retailer or ATM
Monthly revenue collection and payout to the property owner or managing agent
Remote reading, reporting and tariff advice for the life of the installation
If you are a contractor, reseller or installer, you can also simply buy equipment from us at trade terms. Email info@utilitypal.co.za for a trade account.
What do LoRaWAN, M-Bus, RS485 / Modbus and STS mean?
LoRaWAN: long-range, low-power radio for reading meters across a complex or estate without wiring; needs a gateway on site
Wireless M-Bus / M-Bus: the standard for heat, water and gas meters in buildings; wireless M-Bus is read by a walk-by handheld or a gateway such as the Engelmann ComStar
RS485 / Modbus: a wired serial link to a data logger, BMS or SCADA, common on DIN-rail and panel meters
STS: the Standard Transfer Specification for prepaid tokens, which lets any STS meter accept tokens sold by any STS vendor
Every listing shows the communication option in its title or dropdown, and our Connectivity submenus filter the range by protocol.
Can I return a product?
Unused products in their original, undamaged packaging can be returned for a refund or credit; please contact us first so we can issue a return reference. Products that have been installed, energised or programmed, and items imported to order, can only be returned if they are faulty. Return shipping for non-faulty goods is for the customer's account.
Do I get a report of tenant purchases?
Yes. Every month you receive a vending report listing each meter, each purchase and the amount paid out. If you need consolidated reporting for a portfolio, tenant-level statements or a different format, email support@utilitypal.co.za and we will set it up.
Are your prices inclusive of VAT?
Yes. All prices on utilitypal.co.za are shown in South African Rand and include 15% VAT. A VAT invoice is issued with every order. Prices on our international store are shown exclusive of South African VAT for export customers.
Does a sub-meter replace the council meter?
No. The municipal or Eskom meter stays in place and continues to bill the property as a whole. Sub-meters divide that supply fairly between units so the owner recovers the cost from the people who actually used it.
How long will my order take?
Each product page shows its lead time under the description:
1 - 3 Days: stocked locally and dispatched from our warehouse
8 - 10 Days: imported to order from the manufacturer (for example Engelmann, Ivy Metering and some Kamstrup lines)
Longer lead times, where they apply, are stated on the product page or confirmed on your quote
Lead times are working days from payment. If your project has a fixed date, tell us when you order and we will confirm before you commit.
Which meter do I need for a three-phase supply or a large main?
For up to 100 A per phase a direct-connected three-phase DIN-rail meter is usually enough. Above that you need a CT-operated meter with current transformers sized to the supply (for example 200/5 A). If you tell us the breaker size, supply type and how you want to read the meter, we will specify the meter and CTs together.
What tariff should I set for my tenants?
We recommend setting the same tariff the local supply authority would charge the premises directly, so tenants pay exactly what they would pay the municipality and billing stays fair and defensible. Check whether your tenants should be on a domestic or commercial rate, and remember that many municipalities use stepped (inclining block) tariffs. We are happy to review your municipal account and recommend a structure: email support@utilitypal.co.za.
Which brands do you carry?
We stock and support established metering brands including Kamstrup, Engelmann, Accuenergy, Ivy Metering, Honeywell Elster and Siemens, alongside our own UtilityPal prepaid range and a wide selection of solar, battery and backup brands. Every product page carries the manufacturer datasheet so you can check specifications before you buy.
A meter on my property shows an error. What do I do?
Meter faults on UtilityPal-managed sites are handled by our support desk. Email support@utilitypal.co.za with the meter number and a photo of the display and we will pick it up from there.
How do tenants pay on a UtilityPal-managed scheme?
Tenants on a scheme we vend for buy credit through the usual national payment channels, and every purchase is reflected on the owner's monthly statement. Managing agents who need the tenant-facing detail can request it from support@utilitypal.co.za.
Do you deliver nationwide and what does it cost?
We deliver anywhere in South Africa by courier. Delivery is quoted at checkout or on your quotation based on your address and the size of the order, and larger items such as water tanks, enclosures and battery systems are quoted individually. Collection can be arranged on request.
Do you offer installation and commissioning?
Yes. We can install and commission meters, CTs, gateways and data loggers through our installer network, or provide remote commissioning support to your own electrician or plumber. Ask for installation when you request a quote.
Can I recover fixed charges or a service fee through the meter?
Yes. Prepaid tariffs can include a fixed monthly charge, a service or administration fee, or a step tariff, and these are deducted from purchases automatically. Tell us what you need to recover and we will configure it and show the tenant-facing breakdown.
What is a heat or cooling (BTU) meter and when do I need one?
A heat meter measures thermal energy delivered by a heating or chilled-water circuit by combining flow measurement with a pair of temperature sensors. You need one wherever heating or cooling is shared and must be recovered fairly, such as central HVAC in offices, hotels and apartment blocks. Our Engelmann range covers compact ultrasonic meters up to DN50 and calculator-plus-flow-sensor combinations up to DN300.
What do I need to do to install a UtilityPal prepaid sub-meter?
Buy the meter from our online store or from an electrical or plumbing wholesaler, and have your electrician or plumber install it. Once it is in, email the meter number, property address and owner details to support@utilitypal.co.za and we will register and activate the meter for vending, usually the same day.
Where are you based and where do you operate?
We are based in South Africa and deliver nationwide. Our online store at utilitypal.co.za serves South African customers in Rand, VAT included; customers outside South Africa can order through utilitypal.net. Metering installations and audits are arranged through our installer network, so send us your address and we will confirm coverage.
Can you set up remote reading and alarms for my meters?
Yes. For LoRaWAN, wireless M-Bus, RS485 and 4G-connected meters we configure the gateway, bring the meters onto the platform and set up daily readings, leak or tamper alarms and monthly reports. This is quoted per site depending on the number of meters and the communication used.
How do I get hold of you?
For orders, quotes and product questions email info@utilitypal.co.za. For existing meter, vending or account queries email support@utilitypal.co.za. You can also use the WhatsApp, Phone, Chat or Get A Quote buttons at the bottom of every page during business hours.
Can I move my existing prepaid meters over to UtilityPal?
Yes. Any STS-compliant prepaid sub-meter for electricity, water or gas can be migrated to UtilityPal vending. Email support@utilitypal.co.za with your meter numbers and current vendor and we will handle the key change and re-registration.
Do you do utility audits?
Yes. A utility audit compares what the municipality bills the property with what is being metered and recovered, checks tariff classifications and identifies unmetered or shared consumption. It is usually the first thing we recommend for a scheme with rising common-property costs.
Can I order for a project or in bulk?
Yes. For projects, developments and repeat orders we offer project pricing, staged deliveries and part-number schedules. Send your bill of quantities or meter schedule to info@utilitypal.co.za and we will return a quote, usually within one working day.
Are your meters approved for billing in South Africa?
Our prepaid electricity meters are STS certified and our billing-grade meters carry MID, IEC or SANS class accuracy as stated on each product page. Water meters are supplied with their MID or SANS approval class listed. If a specific approval is required for your project, ask before ordering and we will confirm in writing.
Can you help me choose the right product?
Yes, and we would rather you ask than buy the wrong part. Email info@utilitypal.co.za with what you are metering, the supply size or pipe diameter, how many points, and how you want to read or bill them. We will come back with a recommendation and part numbers.
Can UtilityPal meters be used outside South Africa?
Yes. Our STS prepaid meters work anywhere, and tokens are issued through UtilityPal Self-Vend so tenants abroad can still buy credit online. Order from utilitypal.net and tell us the country so we confirm voltage, frequency and approvals.
Can UtilityPal manage bulk water and electricity for my whole scheme?
Yes. We supply bulk check meters, smart meters with remote reading, and sub-meters for every unit, and we run the vending and reporting for the whole scheme. Managing agents receive consolidated reporting across the portfolio, and portal access can be arranged for larger schemes.
Which part number am I ordering when a product has a dropdown?
Many of our products group a model range into one listing with a dropdown for size, communication option or version. The exact manufacturer part number for each option is listed under Ordering Options in the description, and it is recorded on your order confirmation so there is no ambiguity about what has been supplied.
Do you supply solar and backup power?
Yes. We stock inverters, lithium batteries, panels and backup systems from established brands, and we can meter and bill solar generation at tenant level with bi-directional meters. See the Solar, Batteries & Backup section for the current range.
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