Setting up the meter readings module
With the meter readings module, you record gas, water and electricity readings per object in BEX PMS. You use these readings to charge consumption to owners or guests. Turn on the meter readings module, set prices per meter type, and record meter readings for your objects.
Turn on the module
You need administration manager rights for this. Go to the administration settings and open the Modules tab. Select Meter readings and click Save. The Meter readings menu item then appears in the Setup module.
Set up meter types and prices
A meter type holds the price per unit for one meter, such as electricity at the off-peak rate. Gas, water and electricity are created by default.
Go to Setup > Meter readings and open the Meter types tab.
Click New meter type, or open an existing one.
Choose the Utility and the Rate: Peak rate, Off-peak rate or Combined.
Select the general ledger account and the Decimal count for readings.
Enter the Price per unit and its Valid from date.
Optional: under Applicability, limit the meter type to certain segments.
When a price changes, add a new price with a later Valid from date. Record an interim reading on the day of the change, so each part of the period is charged at the right price.
Record meter readings
Do one of the following:
One object: open the object, and click New meter reading in the Meter readings card.
Several objects: go to Setup > Meter readings. Select the meter types, the objects and the recording date, then click Select. Enter the readings and click Save.
From a file: on the Meter readings page, use Import. Use Export to download readings as a CSV file.
Retrieve readings from an energy system
With an energy system app, BEX PMS fetches readings from smart meters. During check-in and check-out, click Autofill to fill in the readings. Find all available energy system apps in the App Store under Energy systems.
Charge the consumption
To invoice owners for their consumption, read: Settling meter readings with owners
To add consumption to a guest's reservation, read: Charging meter readings to guests
Good to know
Can I enter a reading that is lower than the previous one? Yes. This is useful when a meter is reset or replaced.
Can I delete a meter type? Only if it has no readings. Otherwise, archive it. Unsettled readings of an archived meter type no longer appear in the expected meter reading settlements.
Can I enter readings for a future date? Yes, but BEX PMS asks you to confirm first.
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