Electricity, Water & Gas Solutions – Real-Time Monitoring, Automated Billing, and Secure Cost Recovery
Smart Utility Metering Services in South Africa
Smart Utility Metering Solutions for Commercial, Residential & Mixed-Use Properties
Upgrade your utility management with advanced smart metering systems designed for accuracy, efficiency, and control. SAUB (Screamer Automated Utility Billing) delivers industry-leading smart electricity meters, water meters, and gas meters with automated meter reading (AMR) and prepaid billing functionality for residential complexes, commercial properties, and mixed-use developments..
Trusted by South Africa’s Top Property Owners
SAUB manages over 1,800 sites and 220,000+ smart meters, supporting some of the country’s largest real estate portfolios. Whether resolving municipal billing disputes, correcting faulty meters, or optimizing load management, our team delivers fast, expert support backed by years of field experience.
With seamless integration, smart automation, and proactive support, we help you manage utilities professionally—ensuring accuracy, cost control, and peace of mind for both owners and tenants.
Smart Meters Installed
Why Choosing SAUB?
We offer end-to-end smart utility metering solutions to meet your needs. Whether you manage a single property or a portfolio of buildings, our services cover everything from prepaid meter installations to billing audits. Below is an overview of our key services and offerings:
Remote Meter Reading & Automated Billing
Say goodbye to manual readings and estimated bills. Our advanced remote meter reading service uses AMR (Automatic Meter Reading) and AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) technology to capture accurate usage data in real time—without the need for onsite visits. Each electricity, water, or gas meter communicates directly over secure cellular or IoT networks, feeding data into a central, cloud-based utility billing platform.
Real-time access to detailed consumption data allows you to monitor every meter across single or multiple properties from one dashboard. View hourly, daily, or monthly trends for each utility, helping you stay informed and in control.
Our system supports automated billing integration, generating invoices and usage reports based on actual meter data—eliminating human error and ensuring accurate, fair billing. Account reconciliation features match usage with payments to maintain error-free monthly billing.
Additional capabilities include live outage and fault detection, alerting you instantly when a meter goes offline or a power issue arises. Tamper detection is also built in, automatically flagging any unauthorized interference.
With cloud software and automated systems, managing utilities becomes effortless. One person can monitor and manage hundreds of meters from a laptop or phone—reducing administrative load and improving both billing accuracy and operational efficiency.
Electricity, Water & Gas Metering
We supply and install STS-compliant smart electricity and water meters designed for accurate, real-time measurement and seamless integration into utility management systems. With Standard Transfer Specification (STS) meters—the national standard in South Africa—property owners and managers gain access to reliable consumption data, enabling transparent billing and efficient utility oversight.
These smart meters support remote data transmission, eliminating the need for manual readings and reducing operational costs. Installation is fast, the interface is user-friendly, and ongoing management is simple. Ideal for both residential and commercial environments, our solutions empower property managers, body corporates, and estate administrators to track usage per unit, bill fairly, and detect anomalies like leaks or excessive usage early.
With detailed consumption visibility, utility billing becomes more accurate, and disputes over usage are virtually eliminated—offering peace of mind for both landlords and tenants.
Utility Billing Audits & Tariff Analysis
Unsure if your utility bills are accurate or fairly priced?
Our team offers expert utility billing audits and tariff optimization services to help you eliminate billing errors, reduce costs, and ensure accurate charges for your tenants.
We perform comprehensive reviews of municipal utility bills and on-site meter data to verify that charges for electricity, water, and gas reflect actual consumption and correct tariff structures.
Through tariff analysis, we examine usage patterns and recommend cost-saving strategies such as time-of-use tariffs or load management plans tailored to your property. These adjustments help align utility rates with actual consumption behavior, delivering fair, competitive pricing for your tenants and improved financial performance for your property.
With smart metering and expert oversight, your utility costs can be optimized for efficiency and accuracy. Our audit and consulting services provide full transparency and peace of mind—no more surprises from the municipality, and no more tenant disputes due to incorrect billing.
Installation, Maintenance & Support
We don’t just install your smart meters and walk away — full lifecycle support ensures your utility systems run efficiently long after installation. Skilled technicians manage the professional installation of smart electricity, water, and gas meters, ensuring minimal disruption and seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
Post-installation, ongoing maintenance services keep meters calibrated and ensure accurate readings over time.
In the event of a meter fault or communication issue, our support team responds quickly to resolve the problem. A dedicated helpdesk is available to assist both property managers and tenants with usage queries, billing support, and platform guidance.
With high-reliability cloud servers operating at 99% uptime, your data remains secure and accessible at all times. By handling every aspect — from installation and maintenance to technical support and system monitoring — we ensure seamless utility operations, accurate billing, and uninterrupted service for your properties and tenants.
Types of Products and Hardware Solutions from SAUB
Smart Electricity Meters
Smart electricity meters in mixed-use properties often come with built-in communication modules (such as a GSM SIM card or radio transceiver) to send data via the mobile network or a local wireless network. Many also have remote disconnect switches – allowing the service provider or landlord to remotely disconnect power (for example, when a prepaid balance is exhausted or in case of non-payment in postpaid scenarios). Prepaid smart meters include a numeric keypad or interface for entering token codes.
Smart electricity meters make it much easier to implement complex tariffs (like time-of-use rates with peak and off-peak pricing) since they record usage by time and can be programmed with multiple tariff tiers.
They also support features like tamper detection – if someone tries to bypass or fiddle with the meter, an alert is sent automatically.
Smart Water Meters
SAUB’s Smart water meters bring similar intelligence to water usage. They measure water flow (in liters or cubic meters) and typically have an attached communication device or a pulse output that connects to a remote reading unit.
In automated systems, smart water meters enable remote water meter reading and can be used in both prepaid setups (shutting off when credit is depleted) or postpaid. One of the biggest advantages of smart water meters is leak detection: by monitoring flow continuously, the system can flag unusual continuous flow (e.g., a pipe leak or a tap left open) and alert management before huge water losses occur. This is especially important in South Africa where water scarcity makes conservation critical.
Additionally, smart water meters ensure each tenant or unit is billed exactly for their consumption – gone are the days of estimations or inaccurate billing for water. Some smart water meters also have built-in valves that can be closed remotely (useful for prepaid or when maintenance is needed).
The data from these meters is fed into the utility management platform just like electricity meters, providing a unified view. All smart meters (water or electricity) used by reputable services are SABS-approved devices, meaning they meet South African Bureau of Standards requirements for accuracy and safety.
AMR and AMI Smart Metering
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is a utility metering technology that enables meter data to be collected remotely, without manual inspection or physical visits. By using wireless transmitters or communication modules, AMR can be retrofitted to existing utility meters or installed as part of new smart metering systems. These modules transmit usage data periodically, often via drive-by collectors, radio frequency (RF), or GSM/cellular networks.
Modern smart meters, however, are increasingly integrated into Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)—a more sophisticated system that enables two-way communication between meters and utility billing platforms. AMI includes not only the smart meters but also data concentrators, signal repeaters, communication gateways, and cloud-based utility management software. Together, AMR and AMI form the foundation of today’s automated utility billing solutions.
In residential estates, commercial complexes, and mixed-use properties, AMR/AMI systems allow hundreds of electricity, water, and gas meters to be read within minutes. Data is sent directly to a cloud-based platform using technologies like IoT, RF mesh, powerline communication, or GSM mobile networks. This ensures full coverage—even in large, spread-out estates or business parks.
Smart Gas Meters
While electricity and water are the primary utilities in most mixed-use properties, some estates or industrial parks also consume piped gas (for heating, cooking, etc.).
Smart gas meters are also available, functioning similarly by measuring gas volume and reporting usage remotely. These can be integrated into the same utility management platform, enabling multi-utility billing (electricity, water, gas all on one bill/report).
Gas metering in South Africa’s residential sector is less common, but in areas where it exists, automated gas billing improves safety (detecting leaks/pressure issues) and ensures accurate cost allocation.
Bulk & Sub-Metering Solutions
Beyond meters, other hardware products that often feature in utility management include central bulk meters (measuring the supply from the municipality into the property), submeters for common areas, and sensors for things like water pressure or power quality – all of which can tie into the smart system to give a holistic view of the property’s utility profile.
What is Smart Metering?
Smart metering is the modern solution for monitoring electricity, water, and gas usage with precision and control. Unlike traditional analog meters, smart electricity and water meters transmit usage data remotely through GSM/cellular, radio frequency, or Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for manual readings and physical visits.
These advanced meters deliver real-time consumption data, typically updated every 30 minutes, and accessible online through a cloud-based utility platform. Property managers can monitor usage across multiple units, while tenants can track their own consumption, identify high-usage appliances, detect water leaks, and manage their energy costs more efficiently.
Smart meters support both postpaid billing and prepaid utility systems, making them ideal for residential complexes, commercial buildings, and municipal applications. Many smart electricity meters in South Africa also offer two-way communication, allowing for remote disconnection/reconnection and dynamic tariff updates, such as automatic switching to off-peak electricity rates.
With rising demand for transparency, efficiency, and accurate billing, smart metering systems are becoming the standard in new housing developments across South Africa. They empower users, simplify utility management, and ensure fair, data-driven billing for every property.
Why Smart Metering?
Smart Utility Metering Solutions for Commercial, Residential & Mixed-Use Properties
Corporate Utility Metering Solutions
Take control of energy costs and unlock smarter efficiency across your entire organization.
Utility expenses can account for up to 30% of a company’s operating costs, making effective utility management critical to long-term profitability. SAUB’s corporate utility metering solution empowers businesses with the tools to monitor, manage, and optimise electricity, water, and gas consumption—across single or multiple sites.
Key Benefits for Corporate Clients
SAUB helps businesses:
Lower utility consumption through accurate usage tracking
Reduce occupancy and operating expenses with targeted insights
Consolidate billing and simplify accounts for easier financial management
Avoid billing errors with verified usage data and real-time readings
Enhance sustainability by identifying opportunities for energy savings
Advanced Smart Metering Built for Business
Powered by remote metering technology, our smart meters collect real-time data at any interval—from any metering point—across multiple branches or buildings. Whether monitoring electricity, water, or gas, you receive precise, actionable insights tied directly to actual usage and current utility tariffs.
Detailed utility statements are automatically generated, allowing finance teams to confidently validate bills and allocate costs accurately by department, building, or tenant. With full visibility and control, businesses can implement energy efficiency strategies, monitor ROI on green initiatives, and meet internal sustainability goals with ease.
Smart Utility Metering for Residential Estates & Communities
Deliver fair billing, reduce utility losses, and empower residents with transparent, real-time usage data.
SAUB (Screamer Automated Utility Billing) offers specialized residential smart metering solutions designed for modern estates, apartment blocks, and mixed-use communities. Our services cover accurate metering of electricity, water, and gas, whether for single homes or large, multi-unit developments.
With our automated utility billing system, property managers and body corporates benefit from consistent payments, reduced admin, and full control over utility cost recovery. Residents enjoy real-time access to their usage data, encouraging mindful consumption and lowering household expenses.
Accurate Utility Measurement & Billing You Can Trust
Bulk supply accounts are precisely matched to each resident’s actual consumption.
Tariff variables are applied correctly to avoid under- or overbilling.
Disputes, non-payments, and revenue losses are drastically reduced.
Utility cut-offs, reconnections, and service complaints are minimized.
By ensuring every tenant is billed accurately and fairly, your property avoids unnecessary conflict, improves tenant satisfaction, and maintains a strong reputation.
Solutions for Both New and Existing Residential Developments
SAUB designs tailored systems for:
Greenfield housing developments
Established estates and apartment complexes
Body corporates and property management companies
From system design, metering hardware procurement, and installation, to automated billing and ongoing support, our full-service approach aligns with your operational goals and supports sustainability objectives, including Edge certification compliance.
Additionally, we offer comprehensive cost recovery solutions—helping properties manage rental utilities, shared municipal charges, and private infrastructure usage more efficiently.
Smart Utility Metering & Cost Recovery for Municipalities
Improve billing accuracy, strengthen revenue collection, and ensure audit-ready compliance.
SAUB (Screamer Automated Utility Billing) delivers smart metering solutions tailored for municipalities aiming to increase utility cost recovery, streamline operations, and ensure consistent cashflow—essential for sustaining public infrastructure and service delivery.
Our advanced metering systems provide accurate consumption tracking, correct tariff application, and transparent billing, helping municipalities build public trust, reduce disputes, and support prompt, reliable payments. Full compliance with regulatory and audit standards ensures long-term accountability and financial integrity.
Key Utility Management Services for Municipalities
SAUB’s municipal solutions help local governments manage the full utility lifecycle—from infrastructure to consumer billing—with efficiency and control:
Utility Consumption Benchmarking
Track usage trends across municipal facilities to uncover savings and prevent overuse.Best Practice Baselining
Standardize metering and billing processes across departments and accounts.Metering Infrastructure Audits
Identify faults, inaccuracies, or inefficiencies within your existing utility systems.Tailored Metering Solutions
Deploy smart meters and cloud-based billing platforms built for the specific needs of municipal environments.Bulk Supply Account Reconciliation
Resolve mismatches between actual usage and billed amounts to protect municipal budgets.Consumer Billing Support
Reduce administrative burden by managing utility queries, billing disputes, and customer communication on your behalf.
Trusted by Over 200 South African Municipalities
With deep experience working across diverse municipal landscapes, SAUB is a proven partner in public sector utility management. Whether you’re facing outdated metering infrastructure, inconsistent billing, or revenue leakage from bulk accounts, we provide a scalable, compliant, and cost-effective solution to bring stability and predictability to your utility revenue streams.
Real-Time Utility Monitoring & Smart Water Management for Tenants
Empower tenants with full visibility and control over their utility usage—backed by accurate, transparent billing.
SAUB’s Smart-View Residential Utilities solution is designed specifically for residential complexes and body corporates, delivering smart, efficient utility management that benefits both tenants and managing agents. Our platform integrates seamlessly into your property’s infrastructure and tenant billing systems, eliminating common utility frustrations. Smarter Water Management Starts Here
Our smart water metering system offers real-time monitoring, leak detection, and burst pipe alerts—helping residents take control of their water consumption while protecting the property from avoidable damage.
Key Benefits:
Reduced water consumption through real-time usage visibility
Leak and burst pipe alerts to prevent structural damage and unexpected costs
Early warnings for irregular usage, helping identify concealed leaks or abnormal patterns
Automated billing integration, eliminating manual processes for body corporates
Effortless data exports for managing agents, ensuring fast, accurate tenant invoicing
Smart-View gives both tenants and managing agents the tools to track, manage, and reduce water usage—all while ensuring billing transparency, faster issue resolution, and improved operational efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
A utility meter is a device used to measure usage on utility mains. This includes:
- Electricity Meter: Records electricity consumption.
- Smart Meter: An advanced type of electricity meter that logs energy consumption and sends data to the utility provider for monitoring and billing.
There are two types of split prepaid electricity meters: Wired and Wireless. The choice between them depends on cost, installation requirements, and the distance between meter components.
Saub Utility Management provides reliable utility management services, including accurate meter readings, comprehensive utility and energy management, and smart metering services for both private and public sectors.
An energy meter measures total energy consumption over time. In contrast, a power meter measures the rate of energy usage (typically in watts or kilowatts) in real time, providing insights into immediate power requirements.
Prepaid meters require users to purchase electricity credit in advance. The meter deducts usage in real time, and once credit is depleted, power is disconnected until more credit is added.
Saub Utility Management offers real-time management of utility equipment, tariffs, and consumption to enhance accuracy and efficiency. It includes specialized software for billing and reporting on utility consumption.
A Utility Management System provides energy managers with tools to monitor, manage, and optimize utility consumption. It uses real-time data to offer insights into patterns in energy, water, and other utility usage.
Electric meters are typically used for billing, as they record total energy consumed over a billing cycle. Power meters are used for monitoring and optimization, showing real-time power usage to help improve energy efficiency.
Smart meters allow for real-time monitoring, automatic readings, and remote access, offering long-term cost savings. Traditional meters are usually less expensive upfront, and the choice depends on user priorities.
A utility system refers to essential services like gas, electricity, water, and other applications provided to a facility or used in its operations over a given period.
A utility bill is calculated based on the amount of a particular resource (electricity, water, gas, etc.) used over a billing cycle, measured by utility meters. The bill includes the cost per unit, any applicable taxes, and additional fees or surcharges. Automated systems often ensure precise readings for accurate billing.
Remote electricity meter reading provides several advantages, including reducing the need for manual visits, improving accuracy, and enabling real-time monitoring. This system allows utility companies to quickly access usage data, ensuring efficient billing and better customer service.
Remote water meter reading uses advanced metering infrastructure to send water usage data directly to the utility provider. This is done via wireless or networked connections, making it easier to manage consumption and reduce potential billing errors.
Remote water reading meters are gaining popularity because they offer accurate, automated data collection, reduce labor costs, and allow for immediate monitoring of water usage. They are especially useful in managing water resources efficiently and identifying leaks or anomalies.
An automated electricity meter records and transmits electricity usage data directly to the utility company without manual intervention. Unlike traditional meters, it allows for real-time monitoring, which improves billing accuracy and helps in managing electricity consumption.
Automated water meters provide accurate, up-to-date readings that improve billing precision and help detect leaks or unusual consumption patterns. They eliminate the need for manual readings, saving time and reducing human error.
Utility meter management encompasses monitoring, reading, and maintaining utility meters for accurate consumption data. It often involves automated systems to track usage patterns, manage billing, and ensure efficient resource allocation across facilities.
A smart electric meter provides real-time data on electricity consumption, automatic billing updates, and remote access for both users and utility providers. Its insights help users manage their energy use more effectively and allow for quicker detection of faults or power outages.
A smart water meter offers real-time monitoring of water usage, making it easier to detect leaks, unusual usage patterns, or areas where water conservation is needed. This proactive approach helps reduce waste and manage water resources more efficiently.
SAUB is a leading specialist in automated utility bill management and smart metering solutions, providing expert advice, software, and services to large and medium-sized businesses and complexes across South Africa.