UK Bill Help

Those seeking relief from the ever rising utility costs are looking for methods to shrink their water bills. Meters are one option out there, and they are free to use and install. Both homeowners as well as tenants can use them. While water companies suggest that installing a meter can reduce the monthly charges, is this always the case?

How are water fees assessed?

There are 2 methods for calculating the charges that are due for each household. Each method favours one type of user over another. This will help determine whether a water meter will help a customer save money.

• Based on assessment: Absent a meter, water companies base the current charges on the home’s rateable value. This value is created from an assessment that interprets a home’s likely usage based on the size of the home (ie. number of bedrooms). The premise here is that a home with more bedrooms would likely host more residents who would in turn use more water. This is a key factor that is looked at by suppliers. As a result, larger homes typically incur a higher water charge.
• Based on actual usage: A water meter tracks the exact amount of water used by the residents of the household. As the most accurate method for paying for usage, this method ensures that a customer pays for exactly what they used.

Which is better?

The favourable solution will depend on the specifics of the customer’s situation. A small home (or rental property) that houses many residents could easily exceed the average assessment for that home size if charged for actual usage. It is generally more favourable for such a customer to pay based on the assessment, since the bill will likely understate their actual usage.

Heavy water users may also benefit from using the assessment to determine their bill. The exception to this rule is for households where one family member is disabled or has a medical condition and requires higher usage. Such a household may be eligible for a water assistance scheme that requires the use of a meter.

A larger home that only has a couple of residents may be overcharged if the fees are based on an assessment. That is because the costs will be based on number of rooms and not the number of people that live in the home or flat and their usage. A water meter may be a better option in this scenario.

How to request a water meter

The company can install a water meter upon request from the customer. Depending on demand, this can usually be scheduled in just a few weeks. Call your supplier to start this process. It is done for free by the water company, and all providers in the UK offer these. As one example, find how to get free Dwr Cymru Welsh Water meters

Residents in England and Wales as well as Northern Ireland may request a meter to be installed free of charge. There is also a free assessment done online to determine if they will save money or not with a meter. The water supplier pays for the device and the installation costs as well. Once installed, charges will be based on the amount used only.