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Water meter - a quick question

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Had a water meter installed yesterday (Thames Water). The limited blurb I received suggested that they don't read them very often - I think it said it would be six months or more before they take the first reading.

So my question is: will I continue to pay my previous fixed monthly amount (£58) until they take that first reading? Or do they have some way of forecasting my usage before that time?

I was hoping to start saving money right away, rather than having to wait until they have real usage data on which to base my bill.

Comments

  • JJ_Egan
    JJ_Egan Posts: 20,281 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Did they not say they would estimate your usage and set a direct debit .
    Mine did and it was set meter reading first 6 months estimate second six month actual reading third six months estimate .
    You are at liberty to read your own meter .
  • MoneyMate
    MoneyMate Posts: 3,239 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Your meter should be '0' to start, you should be charged only on what is used from now on.
    There are more questions than answers :shhh: :silenced:
    WARNING ! May go silent for unfriendly replies
    Please excuse me Spell it MOST times :o
    :)
    :A UK Resident :A
  • JJ_Egan wrote: »
    Did they not say they would estimate your usage and set a direct debit .

    Not exactly, the leaflet just says "We'll set up a payment plan on your new account based on your revised charges".

    That's what I'm curious about - what will those revised charges be before they take a meter reading. I assume it'll be an estimate, maybe based on the size of the house.
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,058 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    Seamonster wrote: »
    Not exactly, the leaflet just says "We'll set up a payment plan on your new account based on your revised charges".

    That's what I'm curious about - what will those revised charges be before they take a meter reading. I assume it'll be an estimate, maybe based on the size of the house.


    Size of house is unimportant, generally it is number of occupants that determine consumption.


    A ballpark figure is 50 cubic metres per person per year. If you contact Thames with that information, they will probably set up a DD based on that information - or you can work it out yourself from the charges on their website.
  • Cardew wrote: »
    or you can work it out yourself from the charges on their website.

    I hadn't realised that info was available, thanks. Just looked and the ballpark annual charge they give for two people with average water use is £312, or £26 per month. I'd certainly be happy if ours is close to that.
  • deanos
    deanos Posts: 11,241 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Uniform Washer
    take a reading now including decimals as it all wont be on zero (decimals with have reading on from when tested in factory) , read again in exactly a months time , x12 and this will give roughly what you will use, ring water co. with readings and they can adjust payments accordingly
  • For anyone interested in the outcome of this, the estimate for my first year on the meter came through: £14 per month!

    I realise that will probably rise once they start taking readings, but for now I'm very happy with the £44 per month saving. :)
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