Water meters - are they better?

[Slothsarecool]

Can we talk water meters? I’m contemplating getting one but am hesitant in case it ends up costing more.

We currently pay £80 per month and I reckon we’re quite a high usage household (I love a bath, daily dishwasher, 3 kids etc etc).

Does anyone have any insight as I have no idea how to assess if we’ll be better off or it will end up costing more? Thanks

Most if not all water companies offer a 2 year trial of a water meter. If it turns out you are not better off on a meter you can revert to a rates bill.

If you have a bath each day it would be expensive.
We moved from a non metered house to a metered house and could no longer afford baths. We have very short showers.

I don’t believe for a minute you’d be able to switch back from a meter if you started paying for what you are actually using. They’d manage to wriggle out of it I’m sure.

thanks both! We’re with Thames Water who don’t offer the 2 year return as they are aiming to move all customers to meters by 2030. I don’t want to end up paying more when they should have been a cost saving exercise.

Also, I put our estimated usage in to a calculator just now and it was about a £60 saving over the year, which doesn’t seem worthwhile!

You pay for what you use. Having a water meter fitted can be a cost-saving exercise, but only if you don't use much water. I had one fitted years ago when I lived on my own, and it saved me loads.

You'll be forced onto a meter soon enough (I worked for a water co for 20 years).

I never understand why people are happy to pay for what they actually use for gas/electric, but not water?

I didn't think there was a choice unless you've lived in the same house for a very long time - I thought when a house is sold a meter goes in for the new owners, as a way of gradually changing everyone over, as the logistics of every house in the land being done at once would be impossible.

We live in a 2 bathroom house and our water bill is under £40 per month combined (we pay supply and sewerage separately where we are).

I think the time has come for it to be rolled out to as many as possible now.

It’s not so much that I’m not happy to pay for what i use, but if it’s optional to go down this route at the moment, I don’t want to take the option if it means I will be paying more than I am now. It’s only worth it if there is a saving.

I find it bonkers that right now the price I pay is is based on a score pertaining to what my house was worth in 1990. It’s very difficult to accurately compare apples and pears!

I agree. Why should a family of 5 like the OP pay the same as someone like me( widowed, live alone and children are adults who have left home)? Clearly my washing machine, dishwasher, shower/bath etc are used loads less, I also use water butts for watering the garden whereas lots of people use a hose.
I went on to a meter about 7 years ago, I've saved thousands of pounds, my bills went from 68 to 21 or 22 a month.

Mine went from £42 to £16 on a meter but I'm on my own, so it was worth it for me

Family of 5 plus dog. Dh likes to garden...hosepipe is on twice a day from April to Sept.

We're definitely high users. Our bill went from £85 to £55 with a meter.

Theres a general rule i was told years back.

If the number of people living in the house, is equal to or less than the number of bedrooms. Then a water meter will be in your benefit. otherwise not.

e.g. 3 bed house, only 1 occupier = Get a water meter!
But 3 bed house, family of 5 = Avoid a water meter!

But it then means your house has a water meter when you sell. The next person gets no choice.

New houses have had meters for years. Certainly more than 25.

Older places can continue to pay based on the 1973(!!) rateable value.

I think OP will be lucky to save with a meter but it's worth a discussion with Thames about best tariff etc. They should be able to estimate your usage based on size of house, number of people etc.

Of course if the meter caused you to reduce the bath habit and/or shower instead you might save.