Short answer: who pays for vending machine electricity in a BC apartment or strata building? Almost always the building. The machine plugs into a common-area outlet, so its power lands on the strata's or owner's BC Hydro bill. For a full-size refrigerated drink machine that's about $16–17 a month before GST at BC Hydro's business rate. The operator can agree to offset it, but that only happens if it's written into the agreement.
This post is for strata treasurers, council members and rental property managers who've been asked "and who pays the hydro?" and want a number and a clean way to record the answer.
Where the power comes from
A lobby, gym or laundry-room outlet is on a common-area circuit, metered on the building's own account. BC Hydro lists energy used "in common areas of multiple occupancy buildings" as eligible for its General Service (business) rate, which is why common-area meters are commonly on Small General Service rather than a residential rate. Look at the rate on your bill: that's the price per kWh the machine will pay.
What it costs
A machine's energy use is set by its design and capped by law. Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 limit a Class A refrigerated drink machine built since January 8, 2019 to 0.00184 × volume in litres + 2.43 kWh a day (s.648). For a 30 cubic foot machine that's about 3.99 kWh a day, and the US Department of Energy's FEMP figure for an ENERGY STAR model is 3.71.
| Machine | kWh a day | Small General Service, 14.06¢ | Residential, above Tier 1, 14.08¢ |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR drink machine, 30 cu ft | 3.71 | $15.87 a month | $15.89 a month |
| Drink machine at Canada's 2019+ limit, 30 cu ft | 3.99 | $17.06 a month | $17.09 a month |
Energy charges only, average month (365 ÷ 12 days), before GST. BC Hydro rates checked 2026-10-12. The basic charge is already on the bill whether or not a machine is plugged in.
Two machines double it. A snack machine with no refrigeration uses much less, mostly lighting and the controller. Put your own machine and rate into the power cost calculator.
Strata: whose money it is
In a strata, common-area electricity is a common expense. The Strata Property Act requires an operating fund for common expenses that usually occur once a year or more often (s.92), which owners pay into through strata fees (s.99). The strata can spend from it only on items in the approved budget, approved at a general meeting, or under the limited exceptions in the Act (s.97).
In practice that means:
- $16–17 a month is a budget line, not a council decision each month. If the machine arrives mid-year, it's a small unbudgeted operating expense; note it and include it in next year's budget.
- Any money from the operator belongs to the strata corporation, not to council members or the manager. Have it paid to the corporation's account and shown in the financial statements.
- The vote is about the machine, not the power. If council decides a machine is a significant change to common property, s.71 needs a 3/4 vote at a general meeting. Put the power cost and any offset in the same resolution so owners see the whole picture.
Rental buildings
The owner pays common-area hydro as an operating cost, so the decision is the owner's or the property manager's. The same rule applies: if the operator is offsetting power, put the amount and payee in writing.
Settling it in writing
There are three clean answers, and the agreement should name one:
- The building pays the power. The usual model when there's no commission. Simple, and about $200 a year per drink machine.
- The operator pays a flat monthly amount. Name the amount, how often it's paid and that it goes to the corporation or owner.
- A commission covers it. Some agreements pay a share of sales; check whether it's on gross or net sales and how often you get a statement. Our commission reality check shows what's normal.
How VendFynd handles it
With VendFynd, the machine is $0 to you: the operator covers the machine, install, stocking, service and removal, and you provide the spot and an outlet, with power about $15–20 a month. Most buildings receive a commission, set per building and written on the placement sheet before install, so any offset for power is clear from day one. It's month to month, 30 days' notice and no-cost removal under our host terms. For approvals and terms across several buildings, see our property managers' guide, and for the lobby-format choice, smart cooler or vending machine. See if your building qualifies.
Sources
- BC Hydro, Business rates (Small General Service 14.06¢/kWh, basic charge 40.89¢/day; General Service eligibility): https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/rates-energy-use/electricity-rates/business-rates.html
- BC Hydro, Residential tiered rate: https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/rates-energy-use/electricity-rates/residential-rates/tiered.html
- Strata Property Act, Part 6 (finances): https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/98043_06
- Strata Property Act, Part 5 (property): https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/98043_05
- Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016, s.648: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2016-311/section-648.html
- US DOE FEMP, refrigerated beverage vending machines: https://www.energy.gov/femp/purchasing-energy-efficient-refrigerated-beverage-vending-machines
General information about the Strata Property Act and BC Hydro rates, not legal or accounting advice.