Question with an electric bill

[keggers]

I will try not to get into a lot of boring details here but my situation is this:

I'm looking to buy a multi-tenant property (beauty salon, laundomat, and small tavern all under one roof). All the businesses share the same electric service. All the tenants have expressed an interest in having the electric service split three ways. However, I don't know how to do that.

My question is this, is there a "rule of thumb" for the amount of electricity that each machine uses on a monthly basis? I realize that useage and type a machine have a lot to with the electric usage; but I'm guessing there must be a range of some kind.

Thanks in advance for any thougths.

[Duane]

Contact a few qualified electricians and get quotes to physically split each business so they have their own meter.

This will be the only fair way to divide up the electric bill.

[petefritz]

I agree with Duane, the upfront cost of converting to seperate meters will pay better in the end. The biggest electric is going to be the tavern, maybe the mat followed by the beauty salon. Much depends on SQ ft size, a/c used, lighting, etc. A washer or dryer do not use much eletric to run.

[keggers]

Thanks for your help!