Posted on: November 15, 2016
By: Alan O'Neill
Posted in: Plumbing
Water Meter is a valuable commodity; with global warming, it appears to be even more scarce. A report suggested that British drivers could see an 80% decline in water volumes during the summer months because of global warming and increased demand. With most scarce commodities like electricity and gas, you have to pay depending on how much you use. There would be no sense in providing electric sockets and then allowing people to consume as much as they like.
A water meter is a type of measurement instrument fitted onto a pipe through which water flows. The meter continuously monitors the water flowing through the pipe to calculate the volume of water flow.
Learn how to read your water meter and how your water bill is calculated to save energy, whether it’s an analog or digital display.
Is your water bill a little higher than usual? If it is, you might want to check your water meter. A water meter is what utility companies use to measure the amount of water that is delivered to a property. Understanding how that amount is calculated can help you determine your home’s water usage and if you have a water leak.
The units used for measuring water use differ with utility companies across the country. Some utility companies use Centum Cubic Feet (CCF) and some use gallons. The CCF measurement represents one hundred cubic feet of water, and is the most commonly used measurement method. One CCF equals 748 gallons. You can look on your utility bill to see how your water usage is measured. Your water usage is the difference between the current meter reading and the prior meter reading.
First, you’ll need to locate your water meter. Most residential water meters are found outside near the curb or sidewalk at the front of the property. Oftentimes, the meter will have a metal or plastic lid and may be marked. If you have difficulty finding your water meter, contact your utility company for help. In some cases, you may need a screwdriver to open the lid.
Next, you’ll need to determine whether your meter is analog or digital.
Analog meters will have dial displays. If you have an analog display, your meter will have a sweep hand that measures the water usage in either CCF or gallons. Most analog dials also have a low flow indicator that looks like a small icon, such as a triangle.
If your meter has a digital display, you may need a flashlight to activate it. Most digital displays will alternate between the reading (CCF or gallons used) and the flow rate (CCF or gallons flowing through per minute). Some digital displays may have historical water use data. If you have any questions about your analog or digital meter, check your water bill or utility company’s website for more information, or contact them with questions about how to read your particular meter.
To determine if you might have a continuous leak that is increasing your water usage and making your bill higher, you can perform a leak detection test using your meter.
To do this, first make sure that no water using devices are operating inside or outside of your home during the test. For analog meters, if the sweep hand or the low flow indicator is moving, a leak is indicated. To determine if you have a slow leak on an analog meter, record the readings and wait 20 minutes before reading again. If there are any gallons used, a leak is indicated. For digital display meters, watch the flow rate screen for at least 10 flashes. If the number is more than zero, a leak is indicated. You can also perform a check for a slow leak in the same manner as for an analog meter. Read more…
A meter measures the water you use, so you only pay for what you use. It can also help to save water – many people make a conscious effort to use less water once they have a meter fitted and this means a benefit for both your pocket and the environment.Call (713) 812-7070 us for your home service and repair needs.
For more related articles and info visit Blog.
Open Including Holidays
ALAN O'NEILL M-20628 | TACLB82488E | TECL 30557
© 2024 Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical. All Rights Reserved