How to Read Your Water Meter (and Potentially Save Money)
Plumbing tips from A1 Choice Plumbers in Kelowna & West Kelowna Your water meter records how much water you use. There are companies you could call to read your meter, but should you wish to monitor your own consumption here’s how to do it. Shine…
Plumbing tips from A1 Choice Plumbers in Kelowna & West Kelowna
Your water meter records how much water you use. There are companies you could call to read your meter, but should you wish to monitor your own consumption here’s how to do it.
- Shine a flashlight over the flashlight icon (located on the register) to turn on the LCD display.
- Take a reading at a set time of the day.
- Take a second reading at the same time the next day.
- The difference between the two readings is your daily water consumption.
The water meter is usually where the water supply enters your home, which is often where the electricity and gas meter are located. If you’re having trouble finding your meter check your basement, bathrooms, or even crawl spaces. Water meters in commercial buildings are often located inside utility rooms.
WHAT DO THE ICONS MEAN?
The flow indicator shows the direction of flow through the meter and is indicated by a minus and plus icon in either direction. If the icon is on water is in use. If it’s off then so is the water. A flashing icon denotes that water is running slowly, and (–) and (+) mean reverse and forward flow respectively.
The leak indicator is the icon of a tap with a drop of water. If the icon is off then there is no leak. If it’s flashing it means there’s an intermittent leak and that water has been used for at least 50 of the 96 15-minute intervals during a 24-hour period. If the icon is on continuously this indicates that water use is on for all 96 15-minute intervals during a 24-hour period.
The RATE is the rate of water flow. Average flow rate is displayed every six seconds on the LCD display. When the display indicates ‘RATE’, the flow rate is shown in units of cubic meters per minute.
The nine-digit LCD display denotes the water meter reading in units of cubic meters. One cubic meter equals 1000 litres. The last four digits are after the decimal point.
DO I HAVE A LEAK?
One of the mains reasons for high water bills is excessive lawn and garden watering. But if your water consumption appears higher than you expect it to be, then you may have a leak. Most meters will inform you if it has measured continuous water use by displaying a flashing leak icon.
The best method to determine if there is a leak is to turn off all sources of water in the house and garden, ensuring that all taps are turned off, no toilets are running, sprinklers and hoses are turned off, and any humidifiers or ice machines disabled. If you’re still consuming water but all sources of water are switched off, then you have a leak. Check all taps and pipes. Watch for drips, and quickly replace faulty parts. The toilet is a common source of unnoticed leaks. If left untended, a toilet leak can waste hundreds of litres of waters a day. To tell if your toilet is leaking listen carefully to it. If you hear the sound of running water, your toilet is leaking. Add food colouring or dye to the toilet tank and wait half an hour. If coloured water appears in the toilet bowl, a leak is present.
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