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Is anyone using a smart water meter, if so, pros and cons?

Eastmids-HD

Eastmids-HD

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We got a letter today from the water company saying that they're going to be installing a smart meter, I've read various articles online but wanted to get some honest opinions from people that have either switched or thought of switching but changed their mind.

Cheers.
 
Hi, ours was changed a couple/three years back. South Eastern Water. My bill now is half of what it was on the old rateable system.
 
Ours reduced with installation of a water meter about 5 years ago, but I’ve no idea if it’s “smart”.

Before that we had no meter at all.

Now I’ve never seen any one reading it so I guess it’s smart.


It depends on you usage I guess, if your a family of 10 who have a bath everyday and water your lawn in summer then probably not, but if it’s only two or three with showers everyday day then it’s probably worth switching
 
Been metered since we moved in 27 years ago, smart metered for past 3 or 4. Bills make more sense now as we don't get estimated ones which are based on house size, not occupancy.

Also, ours is about 2 feet down a drain hole at the bottom of the drive 50 yards or more away and very difficult to read.

All our utilities are on smart meters.
 
As above, got moved onto meters a couple of years ago, it’s cheaper than it was when we paid a fixed rate.
👍🏻
 
Our shower was dripping, not a lot, but it needed a visit to the city (which I avoid if possible) for some new washers of the correct size. Eventually, the drip was almost a slight dribble and we got a letter from our water supplier telling us we had a leak. The meter was recording a couple of litres per hour even through the night.

Went to the city that same week, bought washers and fixed the shower. Next week a letter arrived "Thank you for fixing your leak" !

Big Brother is watching you !!
 
I haven’t got a smart water meter, but have had a meter for 27 years,currently paying £220 a year,of which £151 is a standing charge. The unmetered charge would be almost £700 a year. Since having the meter fitted I have probably paid a total of close to £9,000 less!
 
Without the meter the charge is based on the number of bedrooms at the property, so a simple rule of thumb says:

If you have more occupants than bedrooms (and like to water the garden, wash your cars, ets) rateable system is cheaper.

If you have more bedrooms than occupants, i.e. a single occupant in a 5 bedroom house, going on a meter is cheaper.
 
I've been on a water meter for 31 years and have saved a small fortune, but we have yet to go 'smart'. From what I understand talking to a Severn Trent Water rep. is that the smart meter simply allows a meter reader to remotely read the meter from his van without the need to physically open the inspection hatch (clean out all the sand the ants have deposited Homer face palm ), and then read the meter...probably in the pouring rain. Apparently the meter has a battery installed and can be remotely woken up or put to sleep from the van.
 
I have had a water meter for a number of years now, I have saved lots each year.
 
Few years ago informed the street were getting meters installed. Get a quarterly bill which is a lot cheaper than pre- meter. Varies each time by about a pound up or down
 
Bill.B said:
I've been on a water meter for 31 years and have saved a small fortune, but we have yet to go 'smart'. From what I understand talking to a Severn Trent Water rep. is that the smart meter simply allows a meter reader to remotely read the meter from his van without the need to physically open the inspection hatch (clean out all the sand the ants have deposited Homer face palm ), and then read the meter...probably in the pouring rain. Apparently the meter has a battery installed and can be remotely woken up or put to sleep from the van.
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The rep was right about these new meters. They aren‘t actually ’smart’ at all, and aren’t like the smart meters we have for electricity and gas.

The only thing to really consider is whether you want to be charged for actual water used, or happy to pay a fixed rate.
 
Eastmids-HD said:
We got a letter today from the water company saying that they're going to be installing a smart meter, I've read various articles online but wanted to get some honest opinions from people that have either switched or thought of switching but changed their mind.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
I take it you're already on a water meter and just supply them with readings??
 
We inherited one with the new house. As said, it seems to be cheaper. I've never felt reluctant to use water before, like cleaning cars, baths and showers but I do now. But that can't be a bad thing I suppose.
 
I'm under the control of United Utilities. They work to a 50% loss rate from reservoir to tap which is disgusting. They also charge me more for removing water off my roof than they do for water we use. Go figure.
 
Jim-in-Darwen said:
I live alone so it was a no brainer. Smart meter fitted and paying around 1/3 what I did based on rateable value. Break even is probably about three persons. Knowing you can save by not being wasteful is an incentive.

Jim
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My brother has 3 in the household plus occasional visitors and pays around £350 a year with the meter. The unmetered rate would be over £800,so unless you have swimming pools it’s possibly cheaper with many in the household! Water actually costs £3.40 for 1000 litres in Wales,less than most people assume.
 
SteveB13 said:
I take it you're already on a water meter and just supply them with readings??
Click to expand...
I actually don't know? We purchased the house we live in 3 years ago and usually pay Severn trent every quarter iirc? We have a direct debit set up, I'm not too sure if it rolled over when we purchased the property or not? In my previous property thar I owned solely I used to supply the readings monthly.

There are only 2 of us in this 3 bed semi detached.
 
Circumstances dictated my household finances as you know. However, an astute financial decision was switching to a water meter.

I use 1m3 p/m

[edit] it went from £650 p/a unmetered based on household, to £10 ish a month metered.
 
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