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How to find and read your water meter

Understanding how to find and read your water meter is an essential skill for every homeowner or tenant. Not only does it allow you to monitor your water usage, but it also helps you stay on top of your water bills and avoid unexpected charges. By knowing how to track your consumption, you can identify leaks early, manage your household’s water use more efficiently, and even take steps to reduce waste. 

In this article, we will explore the importance of knowing your water meter reading, explain the different types of water meters and walk you through the process of locating your water meter, understanding its readings and submitting them to your water company.

Why is it important to know your water meter reading?

Knowing your water meter reading is important for tracking your water usage and staying on top of your water bills. By regularly taking water meter readings, you are able to learn valuable information about your consumption habits, which can prevent you from wasting water and help to avoid unnecessary costs, and can also highlight areas where you can improve your water efficiency, such as by installing water-saving devices.

On top of this, regular meter readings also make it easier to identify hidden leaks, which, if left unnoticed, can lead to high water bills and potential damage to your property. By catching these issues early, you can take action quicker and avoid costly repairs.

Types of water meters

There are several types of water meters commonly used to track water consumption. Each type displays readings differently, and understanding how they work can help you more accurately monitor your usage.

Analog (dial) meters

Analog or dial meters are the most traditional type of water meter. These meters have rotating dials, each showing a different unit of measurement – usually liters or cubic meters – and also sometimes have a smaller dial that looks like a clock face.  

Digital meters

Digital meters are the more modern version of the analog meter, displaying water usage in a straightforward numerical format on an electronic screen. The reading is typically easy to read, with numbers showing the total volume of water used, usually in cubic meters or liters. Digital meters are more accurate than analog meters, as they don’t rely on rotating dials that can wear out over time, and they also tend to feature additional information, such as the time of reading, helping you monitor your usage in real time.

Smart meters

Smart meters are the most advanced type of water meter, designed to provide detailed and frequent usage information. These meters automatically send readings to your water supplier, eliminating the need for manual readings. Smart meters can track usage patterns in real time and may even provide alerts if there’s a sudden increase in water consumption, which could indicate a leak. The data is often available through an app or online portal, making it easy to stay informed about your water use.

Each type of meter provides the same basic function of tracking water consumption, but the way the readings are displayed and how you access the data can vary. Understanding the type of meter you have helps ensure that you read it correctly and keep track of your water usage efficiently.

How to find your water meter

Depending on the type of property you live in and local regulations, water meters are typically located in one of two places. They are usually either just outside your house (in the front garden or in the public footpath outside your property), or inside the house next to your stop tap. 

If you live in a flat or apartment building, your water meter is likely to be inside a cabinet within the building and marked with your flat number.

In commercial buildings, water meters are often located outside, typically near the main entrance or within an enclosed area like a meter pit. In some instances, the meter may be inside the building, often in utility rooms or areas designated for maintenance and building systems.

Water meters are usually housed in a small, covered box with a metal or plastic lid. You have to lift the lid and remove the polystyrene plug that is often found in older water meters to be able to read the meter. 

If you’re struggling to find your water meter, don’t worry. Let’s explore a few tips to find those hard-to-locate water meters:

  • Look near the water entry point: Meters are typically installed where the main water supply line enters your property. They tend to be labelled for ease.
  • Check with neighbors: If you live in a shared property, ask your neighbors where their meters are located. This might be able to point you in the right direction.
  • Contact your water supplier: If you’re still having trouble locating your meter, your water supplier can provide guidance on its exact location.

How to read a water meter

Once you’ve found your water meter, the next challenge is how to read it. Depending on the type of water meter you have, the process for reading it will differ. Read on to learn how to read your water meter.

Analogue water meters

Probably the most common types of water meters, especially in older properties, analogue water meters usually have rotating dials that display different numbers. There are two sets of numbers, black on the left and red on the right. The black numbers display the water usage in cubic metres, while the red numbers and the clock-like faces show the usage in litres. When taking your water meter reading, you only need to worry about the black numbers on the left. 

Before taking down your reading, it is important to check the serial number of the meter against the number on your water bill. This will ensure that you’re reading the meter that belongs to your property, rather than that of your neighbours.

Analogue water meter

Digital water meters

Despite being a more modern version of their analogue ancestors, the process of reading digital water meters is very similar to analogue ones. Once you’ve located the meter, you may need to activate it by pressing the display button or shining a torch on the solar panel. 

When the screen is active, you will see a series of numbers that represent the total volume of water used – again, this will either be in cubic meters or liters. Like with analogue meters, you only need to note down the first few numbers – so ignore any after the decimal point or displayed in a different colour as they aren’t needed.

Smart water meters

Because smart meters usually have the ability to automatically send water readings to your supplier, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to take water meter readings, unless you want to know yourself how much water you’re using. If you’ve noticed an increase in water bills or are just curious about your water consumption, smart meters are very easy to read and can often send meter readings directly to your mobile phone through the use of an app.

How to submit a water meter reading

Unless you have a smart meter that automatically sends your usage to your water supplier, it is important to submit your meter readings regularly to avoid estimated bills and prevent over or underpayments.

Submitting your meter reading to your water company is very easy, and can usually be done in a number of different ways:

  • By telephone
  • On their website – Some suppliers may also allow you to upload a photo of your meter for verification
  • Through their app

Whichever method you choose, ensure that you have noted down your reading correctly before you start the submission.

How Harmuns can help

If reading your water meter has led you to believe you have a hidden leak, Harmuns are here to help! We specialise in finding those sneaky water leaks that others can’t locate. If you’ve noticed an unexplained spike in your water usage or a sudden extortionate water bill, give us a call!

Our engineers have years of experience and advanced detection equipment that allows us to detect leaks as efficiently as possible.You may not need our services right now, but you could in the future. Save our number now to prevent future panic: 01753 378569.

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About Harmuns

We are a specialist non-invasive pipe and water leak detection company here to fix your problems. We find hidden leaks on central heating systems, water mains and hot & cold water supply within the property.

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