The benefit of using a water meter

Peterxxxxxx

I live in a rented flat. The water rate I pay is based on the banding of the property. I live in London. This means that I am in the Thames Water catchment area.  I’m considering switching to using a water meter. The belief is that this will reduce the amount I pay for water.

Would using a meter reduce that amount of money I pay for water?
Are there any other factors I need to take into consideration?

Your feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you

Zanderman

Probably better asking on the utilities part of the forum rather than the banking part.

Try here (the water bills part!): https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/water-bills

EssexHebridean

Generally speaking, the calculation Martin Lewis suggests you do to work out whether a saving via going metered is likely is: 
If there are the same number, or fewer people living in your home than there are bedrooms, there is a strong chance that you will make a saving.  
One issue you may have in a flat is that fitting a meter may not be possible - if this is the case, then you should be offered an "assessed bill" instead - this is what we have as there isn't sufficient room to fit a meter.

gd55

Contact your water company directly - they will be able to go through your average use and do the sums to tell you if a meter is likely to save you money. They should also have a scheme whereby if you switch to a meter and it turns out to be more expensive over the first two years you still only pay the lower amount.

Lumiona

I'm surprised that it has made a difference for us, we must use less water than usual for our property as our bill has dropped after giving meter readings. We pay less on this Band E house than we did on our Band C house with no meter.

Rob5342

There is a calculator here that can give you an idea, a meter would be quite a bit more expensive for us as my wife and I always have a bath everyday:

https://www.ccwater.org.uk/watermetercalculator/

jbuchanangb

I know it's a bit historic but here's a chart of my water bills over about 30 years. You can clearly seethe effect of the change from Rateable Value billing to metered billing.

jbrassy

I guess the advantage of switching to a meter is that you pay for what you actually use. If you live alone, this may be advantageous. If you live with several other people, it may be better to sticking to your current water rate.

gary1312

Peterxxxxxx said:

I live in a rented flat. 

You may not be able to get one anyway. I live in what used to be a very big old house that's now three two-bedroomed and three one-bedroomed Housing Association flats. One of my neighbours, like myself lives alone and is out at work most of the day, so felt a meter might serve her better - she was told within minutes of calling United Utilities that it's impossible to meter individual homes in large buildings like that. 

Peterxxxxxx

Do I get charged at the lower rate from the date of installation? I’m assuming that I might have to wait a year so they can measure my water consumption. Then charge me at the rate I use water.

macman

First question is already answered on your duplicate post
No, they bill you twice a year based on your actual consumption. The meters can be read remotely. Your initial DD will be set based on estimated usage and can be adjusted once billing data becomes available.