Water meter - a quick question 25 November 2015 at 3:25PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Water Bills 7 replies 2.6K views

Seamonster_2

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.

JJ_Egan

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

Your meter should be '0' to start, you should be charged only on what is used from now on.

Seamonster_2

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

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.

Seamonster_2

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

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

Seamonster_2

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.