Thrifty users have long understood all the advantages of installing a water meter: during the reporting period, the figures in the payment bill correspond to the resources spent, and they no longer need to pay average tariffs, which are much higher than actually consumed. You have to pay for the service, but in fact the consumer overpays for something that he did not use. Another option that makes you think about installing a meter is a common house meter. In this case, the entire amount of resource consumed is divided equally and you don’t really want to pay astronomical bills for others.
Users note that installing a water flow meter helps significantly save the family budget. When thinking about the feasibility of installing a meter for cold and hot water, you need to analyze your expenses, habits, and take into account how many people live under one roof. If savings are obvious, it is important to study the market in detail and choose only the best water meters.
Counter selection
Water meter
The solution to the problem of overpayment for unused resources is the installation of metering devices. A simple procedure will allow you to:
- Save and pay only for the volume consumed.
- Do not pay for water for periods of absence from the apartment (vacation, business trip).
- Do not pay for water consumed by people illegally living in the house.
- Save resources. Knowing that all the extra liters will cost a pretty penny, the user will not waste water.
The equipment for water metering is simple: the meter fits into the pipeline and shows the amount of water passing through it.
The most pressing question before the user before installing the device is “how to choose a water meter for an apartment and which one is better.”
Experts compiled a rating that included the highest quality metering devices. It is important to understand what is best to choose, since a well-chosen device will help you accurately take into account the indicators and not worry about the integrity of the device as stated by the manufacturer.
DECAST 1-2
Let's look at the list where devices were included according to a variety of parameters:
- budget inexpensive;
- mid-price category;
- the best premium models.
The user studies which water meter to choose and decides which brand’s device inspires more confidence.
- Budget devices. Among the models in this category are:
- Triton-Ultra. A vane device that operates correctly in a temperature range from five to ninety degrees. It features a highly durable body and has anti-magnetic protection.
- DECAST 1-2. The vane device operates in the same temperature range and is equipped with pulse sensors for transmitting results remotely. Characterized by a long term of service.
- Betar SHV-15. The simple design of the device and the ability to install at any angle makes the meter very popular. The warranty on the device is six years, but with proper use the shelf life increases two to three times.
- Meter SVU-15. Can be used to control cold or hot water and is reliably protected from leaks and magnetic influences.
- ITELMA WFW 20 D The German flow meter is of high quality. The device has the ability to transmit information remotely. Duration of service - more than ten years.
ITELMA WFW 20 D
- Devices in the mid-price category.
- VALTEK 1-2. A high-quality counter made in Italy is made of high-strength materials. The device works correctly for a long period of time, ten to twelve years or more.
- ITELMA WFW 24 D The German model is distinguished by high quality and long service life without failures or breakdowns. Withstands medium-intensity water hammer and can work with contaminated water without installing a special cleaning filter.
- ZENNER ETWI-N DN German-made meter - universal, used for cold and hot water. It has a pulse sensor, which allows you to transmit information remotely.
Read
Valtec water meter
- The best premium counters.
- NORM SVKM-25X. The device is designed to monitor cold water consumption. Made from high-quality materials, withstands medium-intensity water hammer. Can be installed on any section of the pipeline horizontally or vertically.
- Gardena Water Smart. The model is equipped with an LED screen. There is no need to mount the meter body on the pipe: it is installed at the outlet. Works in four modes.
- METER VK 25GI. The device is characterized by high quality: the main parts are made of cast iron. Universal flow meter. It differs in the duration of work - on average, it is fifteen years.
METER VK 25GI
The user decides which device is the best and how to choose the right water meters, taking into account his preferences, material capabilities and pipeline features.
Table of pros and cons
Below is a table that allows you to evaluate the main advantages and disadvantages of the currently most popular water meters, which have become widespread in the country:
| Meter type | Advantages | Flaws |
| Water Meter | Devices from this company can be used to meter both cold and hot water. They operate in a temperature range from +5 to +90 degrees Celsius. METER products are manufactured in Italy. Water meters of this brand can be operated at pressures up to 1 MPa. The recommended frequency of checking them is once every 4 years. | The disadvantages of METER water meters include the impossibility of their operation at sub-zero ambient temperatures. |
| Water meter Strizh | Some meters of this brand are equipped with a radio module, thanks to which they can transmit data via the Internet. Strizh products are certified in the Russian Federation. Water meters of this type can measure both cold and hot water. Their temperature range of use is in the following temperature range: from +5 to +90 degrees Celsius. The maximum operating pressure does not exceed 1 MPa. The cost of Strizh water meters is quite affordable. The inspection period is once every 6 years. One battery lasts for 10 years of operation of the device. | The main disadvantage of Strizh water meters is that the battery needs to be replaced once every 10 years. You can forget about this, as a result of which there is a risk of the device stopping functioning. |
| Water meter Gardena | The use of meters of this type is very specific. They can be used to account for water consumption during watering of a personal plot. For this purpose, the device is equipped with a special large display that constantly broadcasts the amount of liquid passed. In this way, it is possible to care for plants as efficiently and reliably as possible. The advantages of Gardena water meters also include their strength and resistance to mechanical damage during operation. In addition, such devices are easy to operate, thanks to their easy connection to the hose. Separately, it is worth noting the low cost of devices of this brand. | The disadvantages of Garden counters include their narrow specialization. Such devices cannot be installed on the pipeline in the house. That is why they are used mainly by summer residents or people who have a plot of land near their private home for growing plants. |
| Water meter Beregun | The main advantage of meters from this brand is their affordable price. Also, some users note the ease of installation on the pipeline. | A large number of shortcomings of water meters of this brand are due primarily to the lack of reliability of their design. Many models of these devices quickly fail immediately after they are put into use. This is evidenced by a strong increase in water consumption. |
| Water meter Valtec | Devices of this brand are manufactured in Italy. They are distinguished by the very high quality of their workmanship. Valtek models are well suited for measuring the amount of hot water consumed. A very reliable metal is used for manufacturing – brass. | According to customer reviews, meters from this brand make excessive noise during operation. Their disadvantages also include their relative high cost. Many complain about a significant error within 30%. |
| Water meter Gerrida | Water meters of this brand are very affordable. In addition, they have a simple design that allows them to be quickly connected to the system. It is also worth noting the small overall dimensions of such devices. | The main disadvantage of such meters is their plastic casing, which is easily mechanically damaged. |
| Water meter Decast | This type of counter has a low cost. Devices of this type are considered universal - they can be used to meter both cold and hot water. They are distinguished by their small overall dimensions and simplicity of design. | The main disadvantage of Dekast water meters is their poor configuration. The set with the device does not include adapters or rubber seals. Despite the low cost, in order to install the device, you will have to additionally purchase certain parts for it. |
| Water meter Itelma | The advantages of devices from this Russian brand include high quality, reliable operation and long service life. Despite this, the devices belong to the middle price range. | Most users do not notice any shortcomings. Some buyers note inaccurate measurements on the large side. Others claim that devices of this brand work properly - without reducing or increasing water consumption. |
| Water meter Pulse | The advantages of devices of this brand are ease of installation, affordable cost, a rich set of accessories, a long warranty period and low error in water metering. | Disadvantages include a reliable anti-magnetic protection system and the impossibility of rewinding. |
| Water meter Typeit | The advantages of these devices include affordable cost and very pleasant appearance. | Many users note poor assembly, frequent breakdowns of many parts, a large number of defects and short service life. |
| Water meter Economy | Devices of this brand are used to meter both cold and hot water. They are distinguished by their ease of installation and small overall dimensions. The appearance of Economy meters is quite good. The advantages of such devices include wear resistance, accuracy and reliability. | Among the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the difficulty of finding such devices in some stores. |
| Water meter Zenner | These meters allow you to save your budget. They are very high quality and accurate. They are characterized by high operational reliability and a good level of assembly. | It is not profitable to use such devices in communal apartments. They perform their functions efficiently only in private homes. |
| Water meter Zenner | The advantages of these devices lie in the possibility of using them to meter both cold and hot water. The products of this brand have compact sizes, appropriate certification, protective mechanisms against external magnetic influences, etc. Despite all this, its cost is very reasonable for most users. | Such devices are not widely used, so in some regions they are very difficult to purchase. |
We recommend: Decast water meter - types and characteristics of the device
You can also see a description of each meter located in the table by clicking on it.
Water meters
In addition to the fact that metering devices are designed only for hot or only for cold water, as well as for cold and hot water at the same time, there is another gradation of flow meters. When deciding which option to choose, study the strengths and weaknesses of each sample. The device can be:
- Volatile - can be connected to the mains or run on battery power.
- Non-volatile - able to work without additional power.
According to the type of device, flow meters are:
- Mechanical (tachometer). The most common category of devices. Adapted to work with purified water, characterized by a simple device. Disadvantages include the possibility of measurement error. They are divided into single and multi-jet. The latter are more accurate.
- Energy magnetic water meters. Mainly used as communal buildings. The operating principle is based on magnetic induction. They often have a pulse output for transmitting readings remotely.
Gardena Water Smart
In addition to the common options, there are also lesser known ones:
- Ultrasonic – used when liquids have aggressive contents.
- Volumetric – even the minimum flow is taken into account.
- Vortex - influence the flow of the technological process.
When choosing a device, consider what kind of device you need: a water meter for cold water, hot water or a universal one.
To choose the best device for metering resource consumption, you need to answer the following questions:
- What degree of accuracy is needed.
- Does the manufacturer provide warranty service?
- Are the meter dimensions suitable for installation in a particular location?
Read
Water meter SKB 40
You need to read reviews of the flow meter you like on the Internet on forums. Here you can get the information that is provided only by users who have already tried the device in action and formed their own idea of the water meter.
Whatever type of flow meter you choose, there is a way to check the sealing of the metering mechanism, which is very important.
Blow into the counter pipe and note whether the surface covering the counter mechanism has fogged up. If drops of moisture appear on the glass, the device is depressurized and there is no need to purchase it.
Experts recommend keeping up with the times and even being a little ahead of it. For example, when choosing a flow meter, give preference to a counter with a pulse input. Even if you don’t currently have an automated accounting system, modernization can come at any time.
For hot water
They must withstand high temperatures well, the body must be made of metal only.
ITELMA WFW20.D110 ¾” – assembled under a German license
The Russian research and production enterprise ITELMA BUILDING SYSTEMS works closely with the largest Western companies and uses European materials and components for the manufacture of IPU.
Product quality undergoes multi-stage and systematic control. The ITELMA WFW20.D110 ¾” water meter is made under a German license.
The mechanical single-jet model has metrological class A and minimum sensitivity starting from 10 l/hour. The device measures the flow of hot water at temperatures up to 90 degrees. But even if it rises to 110 degrees, the device will give accurate readings.
The body of the dry meter has an attractive design with a clear measurement scale; some parts are made of plastic, but the main mechanism is made of brass. The measurement range is in the range of 0.03-3 cubic meters. m per hour.
Advantages:
- resistance to high pressure (up to 25 atm.);
- reliable antimagnetic protection;
- Possibility of installation vertically and horizontally;
- bending the pipe before or after stopping the device does not affect the readings;
- 6 year warranty.
Flaws:
- No.
A meter model with a good price-quality ratio is suitable for installation in apartments and office buildings.
Heat and water meter VSG-20 1″ – with the possibility of vertical installation
The Russian company specializes in the production of devices that take into account water and heat consumption. The VSG-20 1″ water meter accurately measures the volume of water consumed, hot or cold, in the following operating ranges:
- temperature - from 5 to 95 degrees;
- pressure not exceeding 1.6 MPa;
- maximum flow rate is no more than 5 cubic meters. m per hour.
Install the water meter on pipes with a diameter of no more than 3/4 inch vertically or horizontally, provided that they are straight at the installation location of the device - 1 m in either direction.
When installed vertically, the dial should face up. Measurement indicators are displayed on 4 pointer sensors that record fractions of a cubic meter. m and one roller sensor - it reflects the number of total cubic meters consumed.
The water whose flow rate is measured should be free of solid impurities and soluble salts. It is prohibited to place the device in rooms with air humidity above 80% and temperatures below 5 and above 50 degrees.
Advantages:
- reliability;
- accuracy of measurements;
- possibility of vertical installation;
- protection against magnetic field influence is provided in the design of the device;
- warranty - 6 years.
Flaws:
- high price;
- Do not install near a water pipe bend.
The device is suitable for measuring water consumption in apartments and private houses.
ZENNER ETWI-N DN 15 – with pulse sensor
The pulse sensor is one of the most vulnerable and quickly broken parts of the water meter design. But for the ZENNER ETWI-N DN 15 model it works like a clock. The device was assembled in Germany, so its quality is not satisfactory.
A vane mechanical water meter counts the flow of both cold and hot water, the main thing is that its temperature is not higher than 90 degrees. The maximum water flow that the device can measure is 3 m³/hour, the minimum is 0.03 m³/hour.
The measurement accuracy is very high: for a water meter installed horizontally it corresponds to metrological class B, vertically, and this possibility is provided for by the design, it corresponds to class A. The device is able to withstand water hammer up to 1.6 MPa.
Advantages:
- reliability;
- high-quality assembly;
- pulse output;
- not a high price.
Flaws:
- No.
The device is suitable for installation where remote readings are collected.
Stop
Sellers of magnets (neodymium) are actively offering to save money by installing a neodymium magnet for a water meter: flow meters stop or slow down, the resource can be used uncontrollably, and you don’t need to pay anything. Implementers suggest simply choosing a magnet to stop the water meter and forget about material costs. In fact, the situation looks somewhat different.
It may be possible to stop the water meter with a magnet on some models, but any inspector can easily find out about this fact during an inspection. There are many ways to detect unauthorized intervention, and the average person does not know all the diagnostic methods used by housing and communal services workers. As a result, the user will have to pay a fine and pay for a considerable period of time for the resource consumed, not according to the meter, but at a much higher price. But if this does not stop you from illegal actions, you should think about one more thing.
ZENNER ETWI-N DN
As a result of the influence of a magnetic field on the device, it suffers serious damage. It is not surprising that the flow meter quickly fails and shows inaccurate data. Stopping a flow device with a magnet is an action that will sooner or later entail a lot of unpleasant consequences.
Installation
To avoid getting into an unpleasant situation, you should entrust the installation of water meters to specialists authorized for this type of activity. The rules for installing flow meters are simple: the device must be installed in such a way that representatives of the water utility seal the device and allow it to be used. Only a specialist should install a water meter, otherwise the meter will fail prematurely, work incorrectly, and the like.
It is preferable to install a special filter in addition to the meter itself. This will help protect device parts from premature wear and failure.
Vodokanal employees insist that water meters need to be installed in a convenient location with good access. This requirement is also convenient for the user: it is important to take readings without problems and, if necessary, repair or replace the device.
NORM SVKM-25X
Devices, if installed by a good specialist, will safely work for the time stated by the manufacturer.
Read
Water meters VSKH 15
To ensure that the installation of the device goes without problems, pay attention to the correct choice of flow meter.
- Study the quality of water supplied to your home. If it contains a large number of foreign particles and impurities, you should choose a meter without moving mechanical elements.
- Pay attention to the housing material that comes into contact with water. Brass and bronze elements have proven themselves best. They withstand contact well with harmful particles often present in water. Silicon and aluminum did not perform very well: the components made from this material are fragile and poorly withstand loads.
- Check that the package is complete. In addition to the necessary elements, a quality certificate must be attached.
The longer the verification interval, the better the water meter is considered. Typically this is six years for a cold water meter and four years for a hot water meter. Users recommend giving preference to universal type meters, as they can measure cold and hot water and be mounted on any surface of the pipeline.
Advantages and disadvantages of water meters
After you install a water meter in your apartment, you will almost immediately see its advantages:
- The most important of them is that from now on you will not have to pay for extra cubic meters of water. If previously you had to pay at the average tariff, which was calculated taking into account the people registered in the apartment, even if you practically did not use water, then with a meter you pay for the same amount as much as you use.
- Another advantage of having a water meter is the ability to monitor your water consumption and control it if necessary. That is, if you suddenly start consuming more water from the tap than the family budget can handle, then thanks to the meter you can notice this and try to use this resource more rationally and economically. Accordingly, this will have a positive effect on your wallet.
- As mentioned above, when paying for water supply at a standard tariff, each person registered in the apartment is taken into account in the calculation. If one of the family members lives at a different address or is temporarily absent, you will still have to pay for them. And when the volume of water is recorded, then naturally the tenant does not have to pay for it.
In addition to all the advantages, there are also some disadvantages of installing a water meter:
- If you purchase a device of poor quality, it may count cubic meters with an error, which will affect the amount of payment.
- If the meter breaks down or the seal is damaged, then charges for the repair period or until a new seal will be made at the general rate.
Installing a meter is not a labor-intensive task, and it certainly pays off. Although you will incur certain costs for its purchase, installation, sealing and inspection every couple of years, you will save a lot during your use of it.
Verification
Water meters are verified after a certain period of time specified in the technical data sheet.
The user is faced with a choice of where is the best place to check water meters in Moscow, for example. It is necessary to select an organization authorized to carry out the verification procedure. Upon completion, the owner receives a document indicating the result of the verification: permission is given to continue using the device or a recommendation to replace the meter with a new one. The organization must have permits to carry out verification. The owner chooses a verification company to verify water meters, taking into account all the requirements. The procedure is mandatory, since over time the accuracy of the readings undergoes changes and the results become less accurate. The user may overpay for the resource consumed, sometimes the error is in the direction of the consumer, which the water utility is not interested in. For this reason, verification is in the interests of the owner and the water utility.
The procedure is quite tedious and requires a certain amount of time to contact the supplier’s organization. It is necessary to write a statement requesting verification of the device. After some time, an inspector will come and record the readings of the device. It is necessary to remove the water meter and submit it for verification. At this time, water is accounted for at average rates. The verification result can be very different; often the device is considered unusable and needs to be replaced with a new one.
Therefore, many water consumers ask the question: “Testing or replacing water meters - which is better?” The person decides for himself what is easier for him. Some never do the verification, immediately replacing the meter with a new one.
Choosing a water meter is an important step. A wise choice will allow you to use the resource without problems and get accurate results for many years.
