How to install a prepaid meter in your Airbnb
Not an electrician and want to equip your short-term rental with a prepaid meter? This guide walks you through step by step, from initial quote to activation via the mobile app. Count on 2 to 3 hours of installation and one week of prep.
Installing a prepaid meter: what you really need to know
Installing a prepaid meter in a furnished rental often intimidates owners. Heavy work, panel rewiring, weeks of construction come to mind. The reality is far simpler: our modules mount directly on the existing panel, branching off the main breaker, without breaking a wall or reworking the circuit. A serious local electrician completes the installation in half a day.
In the field, our owners report a well-controlled total budget: 112 to 167 EUR for the hardware kit, 150 to 300 EUR for the labor of an independent electrician, and 19 to 39 EUR/month subscription depending on property size. No hidden costs, no obligation to go through a brand-approved installer. You stay in charge of the choice and the schedule.
This guide is aimed at non-electrician hosts who want to understand every step before diving in. We detail the five key phases: quote, electrician selection, installation day, WiFi setup, and validation with the first guest. By the end, you will know exactly what to expect and how much time to dedicate.
The 5 steps to install your prepaid meter
From kit order to first guest top-up, a clear journey over 7 to 10 days.
Step 1: quote the Powtiva kit
Choose your kit based on property size: 112 EUR for a Studio or one-bedroom, 145 EUR for a two- or three-bedroom, 167 EUR for a villa. 48h delivery to your door, VAT included.
Step 2: find a local electrician
Count 150 to 300 EUR for the installation. A Qualifelec-registered tradesperson or a serious independent electrician is enough. We give you a clear wiring diagram to hand over.
Step 3: panel installation
On the day, the electrician cuts power for 30 minutes, installs our modules branching off the main breaker, closes the panel. Total time: 2 to 3 hours max.
Legal framework for installation in a furnished rental
Your rights and obligations before rebilling electricity to your guests.
Article 23-1 of law 89-462
The French law article 23-1 of law 89-462 explicitly allows rebilling electricity in short-term furnished rentals as soon as an individual metering device measures the actual consumption of the rented property.
No Enedis authorization
Our modules sit downstream of the Linky meter without modifying the supply contract. You remain the sole holder of the electricity contract, no paperwork with the network operator.
Condo: simple notification
Since the installation is entirely inside the private panel of your property, no general assembly or condo board approval is required. A courtesy notification is enough.
Why this guide makes your installation easier
A journey designed for hosts new to submetering.
No need to be an electrician
You stay in your owner-host role. The guide explains what to order, who to speak to, what documents to provide. The tradesperson handles the technical side, you handle coordination.
Transparent total budget
Between 262 and 467 EUR all-in for hardware and installation. Average payback in 3 to 6 months thanks to rebilling. No inflated quotes, no last-minute add-ons.
Setup in 15 minutes
Once our modules are installed, you download the mobile app, scan the QR code on the housing, connect to the property WiFi. The meter immediately communicates with your Powtiva dashboard.
Compatible with any property
Paris studios, rural gites, villas with a pool: our kits cover single- and three-phase, amperages from 15 A to 60 A. Same installation journey, regardless of configuration.
Real case: Sophie installs a prepaid meter in her one-bedroom in Bordeaux
Real-time chronology of an installation run by a non-electrician host.
Before: anxiety and vague quotes
- • Legacy vendor quote at 890 EUR labor included, no line-item detail
- • Fear of redoing the electrical panel and being without power for a week
- • No visibility on guest consumption, EDF bills that explode in summer
890 EUR
Feared initial quote
After: mastered installation in 5 days
- • Powtiva kit ordered Monday at 112 EUR, received Wednesday by carrier
- • Neighborhood electrician found on the yellow pages, 180 EUR quote accepted Friday
- • Installation Saturday morning in 2h15, WiFi setup complete by noon
292 EUR
Real total installation cost
Frequently asked questions on prepaid meter installation
Everything hosts ask us before diving in.
How do I install a prepaid meter in an Airbnb without being an electrician?
How long does the installation of a short-term rental electric meter really take?
What budget should I plan for installing a prepaid meter in a short-term rental?
How do I choose an electrician to install an Airbnb prepaid meter?
Do I need to notify Enedis or change electricity contracts before installation?
What to do on installation day? Do I need to be on site?
How do I configure the meter via the mobile app after installation?
What happens if the installation does not work correctly?
Discover also
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Divisional meter for furnished rentals
Complete technical guide on installation, NF C 15-100 standard, costs and ROI of divisional meters for Airbnb and vacation rentals. Accurate measurement, transparent billing.
Prepaid electricity for rentals
The legal alternative to prepaid EDF to bill 100% of energy to your furnished rental guests.
Ready to equip your rental with a prepaid meter?
Order your kit today, get it in 48h, and start rebilling next week.