Customers who have not used a water meter previously, will have plenty of questions when you suggest the installation of an automated meter reading facility for their property. They will be worried about where you are going to install the water meter and how they will be billed.
The Advantages of An Automated Meter Reading
While most individual human meter readers are excellent, where people are involved, there may always be an element of human error. Where the reader takes an incorrect reading, the backlash from the customer, when they receive their bill, might be enough for a water utility company to face action in the courts.
Some will argue that an automated meter reading, is a computer action, which means that when the software fails, people are still going to receive incorrect bills. Although this is a possibility and can never be discounted, once the system is up and running it is more effective than sending people to read meters, either regularly, or irregularly.
A signal is sent from the meter, matching a specific timeframe, so that the utility company and the water billing organization have accurate data to be able to compile a bill and send it to the customer. With advanced facilities, the customer can go online and check their bills because they know that an automated meter reading means that the actions will occur on a specific date. The customer will be able to plan to check and pay their bill, accordingly.
Can A Water Meter Always Be Installed?
In almost all circumstances, a water meter can be installed for every property, including individual units within apartment buildings and multisite properties. There are some circumstances where a water meter may not easily be applicable. For example, where a communal laundry room is in operation, one single water meter for each occupant will not be able to bill for all the water used.
There are some circumstances where the appropriate pipework is not easily available or is into poor condition and requires upgrading before a water meter should be installed.
Automated meter readings that work with a Wi-Fi signal, may be too far out of range for utility companies to receive the information. In most circumstances, there can be a workaround to solve any outstanding issues.
When the meter is installed, customers want to know how long their water be turned off for. They will want to know if they must pay for water that is wasted, but recorded by the meter, or whether they are due to be billed for any pipe leaks.
By providing a full set of information to the customers, in advance of the installation, all matters relating to installing a water meter, especially who owns the water meter, must be made clear.