Every home in the UK has meters that measure energy usage, but only about half have a water meter fitted. If you don’t currently have one, installing a water meter could reduce your monthly bills significantly – but it could also cost you more.
Whether you can save depends on a few different factors. We’ve put together a simple guide you can use to check if installing a water meter would save you money.
Do I have a water meter?
Unlike energy meters, which are usually easy to find, water meters can be hard to spot. Yours could be under your sink, outside mounted on a wall or even under the pavement outside your property. You can check if you have a meter or not by looking at your water bill to see how your charges have been calculated, or by checking the move-in inventory for your property.
If you do have a meter, your water company will usually come to take a reading every 6-12 months.
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Could I save by installing a water meter?
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If you don’t have a meter, your water bill will be based on the average usage for a property of the same size and in the same area. If you suspect you use less water than average then you might be able to save by installing a water meter.
A good rule of thumb, given by money saving expert Martin Lewis, is that if you have the same number of bedrooms as people living in the house, or more bedrooms than people, you can probably save with a meter.
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Water meter calculator
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You don’t need to rely on guesswork though, because the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has a free water meter calculator that anyone can use.
Simply fill in a few key details about your property and your current bills and the CCW will calculate if it would be cheaper for you to switch to metered usage.
How can I have a water meter installed?
Once you’ve decided you would like one, installing a water meter is straightforward. It’s also free if you live in England or Wales. Customers in Scotland will have to pay £300, as Scottish Water is regulated independently from the rest of the UK.
Your water supplier will have a form on their website to request a water meter. Otherwise, you can reach out to them directly by phone, email or live chat. Once you’ve made your request, your new meter should be fitted within three months.
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What if installing a water meter increases my bills?
You will have between 12 and 24 months after installing your meter to switch back. The exact amount of time depends on your supplier, so be sure to check when requesting your meter. Some suppliers, such as Thames Water, will send you a quarterly comparison of your bills so you can make sure you’re saving.
 If you find that you haven’t saved after installing a water meter you can change back to paying based on typical usage.
What are the disadvantages of water meters?
You may be concerned about the potential disadvantages of having a water meter fitted.
The most obvious is that your bills may go up if you use more water than the average household. If you’re not sure if you use more or less water than average, use the CCW calculator to see if you can save. Once you’ve made the switch, keep a close eye on your bills – if they go up, it’s time to switch back.
Another potential disadvantage is switching regular bills for fluctuating bills. With a water meter, increasing your water usage will also increase your bills. If you plan on installing a pond, getting a fish tank or significantly increasing your water usage, consider switching back to a fixed tariff.
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