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Smart metering
Smart Metering: Driving accuracy, efficiency, and sustainability in water use
As businesses are always looking for new technological innovations that can help them, using smart meters is a wise choice as it helps them read meters more accurately, detect leakages earlier, and optimise water consumption. Smart meters allow for a better understanding of water consumption throughout the year so that advanced water efficiency and cost-saving measures can be used. These meters can reduce wastewater and lower demand for water, which is critical for optimising the use of this natural resource. Businesses can make sound decisions and better optimise their operational processes with a detailed overview of their water consumption profile. By using intelligent water meters, enterprises take control of their water management across their portfolio of properties and save money. With responsible water use, businesses use less electricity to transfer and pump water.
Partnering with The Water Retail Company
For more information on how smart metering devices can support your business goals, and to apply for a smart meter installation project, please fill out the form below.
Request serviceWhat is smart metering?
Smart meters are advanced meters that are remotely connected and send accurate real-time data to water companies and users. They use sensors that track water use and collect real-time water readings. Smart meters send water meter readings directly from the site through the network using a connection tailored to the specific needs of smart metering, ensuring reliability, security, and resilience in various environments. These meters can provide data to utilities and consumers, who can instantly see their usage patterns. Consumption data can be sent as frequently as every fifteen minutes and presented as hourly, daily, or monthly data.
One of the most essential parts of the smart meter is having a stable connection, so the routine maintenance and monitoring of data delivery is crucial. Upgrades to smart meters in the UK are happening gradually and are region-based. In most cases, the customer is contacted for smart meter installation. The customer might be unable to reject a smart device as the water wholesalers are legally obligated to save water. Coverage of these meters is not possible in some geographical regions with no network reach, but these are rare cases.
Implementation and cost
The aim is always to fit it outside the client’s property, usually on the pavement. This is to prevent possible disturbance while doing the regular check. Before the installation, the customer is asked a few questions to see if an area is suitable for a meter. After getting the permit from the authority responsible for the area of the pavement, the customer will get a note on when the installation will take place. Actual installation usually requires two visits: one to dig a hole and set up the meter box and the second to fit the meter in it. The customer will be without water for a short time and will be informed beforehand. In cases where this is impossible, smart meters are fitted inside the property. Installing the meter inside requires one visit that is arranged per the customer’s schedule. It usually lasts about an hour and water will be turned off for a short time.
Once the meter is fitted and before activation, it is vital to check remotely for possible leaks. Customers will be informed when their meter is activated, which can take up to three months after installation. This is because of several factors, including:
- System integration – Connecting the meter to the network and ensuring this connection is working correctly
- Client adjustment period – It can take time for customers to adjust to a new meter, particularly any changes in billing and new monitoring tools
- Baseline data – This period allows water companies to establish baseline data on the water usage of their customer, which can help them monitor consumption patterns and possible malfunctions
- Testing – Water data is monitored against the baseline to check for inconsistencies
Under regular use, new smart meters should last up to 15 years. In many cases, smart meters are installed for free. However, there are cases where the costs are incurred by the customer. This is often when the current meter works correctly and is readable. In this case, the client needs to approve these charges.
Benefits for businesses
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Cost savings
By using smart meters, businesses save money in a variety of ways. As they offer real-time data, water usage is billed on actual monthly data rather than on estimates. Using automation reduces the need for manually checking the meters which is especially useful for businesses with tens or hundreds of meters at their disposal. With data that gives insight into hourly usage across the week, companies can see where the inefficiencies lie and address them in time. Detecting issues like old pipes allows businesses to fix those problems early, preventing more considerable losses from piling up.
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Water usage tracking and optimisation
Smart meters provide real-time data, and depending on what the customer chooses, this can be fifteen-minute, half-hourly, hourly, daily, or monthly data. This provides businesses with the opportunity to understand their usage patterns better and then notice anomalies. For example, suppose the company that works throughout the day detects consumption happening throughout the night. In that case, they will know there needs to be an audit to check whether there is a leakage or another reason for this consumption during non-operation hours. Businesses can also establish their usage profile per week or month and then observe future consumption.
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Alarms, alerts and targets
Many smart meters arrive equipped with an alarm option that detects a significant anomaly in consumption, like usage in non-expected time, and sends the notice to a person responsible for a property for immediate attention. In addition, alerts can be set up to compare the current usage with a preset reference or threshold, which can be in absolute values or percentages. Larger businesses using many smart meters set up a reference year for the operational area and a target consumption for that area. This allows them additional insight into how they did with their water efficiency and conservation efforts.
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Leak reduction
Smart meters help the customer recognise sudden spikes in consumption and increases over the month. Minor leaks can sometimes be more challenging to identify, especially with older meters that estimate consumption. Over time, while using smart meters, customers will develop their consumption profile (hourly, daily, monthly), which will help them recognise the leaks faster. This enables them to immediately request a site visit to fix the leak.
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Sustainability and environment
Smart meters promote sustainability efforts in two ways. First, by using them, businesses recognise areas that use water more than they should and establish optimisation methods. Secondly, companies can report their water efficiency information to shareholders and stakeholders, setting themselves apart.
Verdict
Smart meters represent a significant tool in businesses’ quest to reduce operational costs, save time, and further their sustainability goals. They give them an opportunity to advance their water monitoring by introducing new analytical tools. Whether businesses want to track their weekly water usage, understand where they can be better, or establish water conversation targets, it is all possible by using smart meters. It is an excellent example of modern solutions that help companies with their business goals and support the environment by fostering a sustainable water supply and lowering the growing demand.
Partnering with The Water Retail Company
At The Water Retail Company, we partner with businesses across the country to implement advanced smart metering solutions, aiding them in managing their water usage with precision. By using smart meters, businesses leverage the latest technology, including real-time data, ongoing leak alerts, and state-of-the-art reporting tools. Using smart metering technology means saying goodbye to manual reads, estimations, and undetected burst pipes.
With smart metering, businesses gain insight into their water efficiency management at a deeper level. This allows them to reach their operational and environmental goals and strive for greater ones in the future.
For more information on how smart metering devices can support your business goals, and to apply for a smart meter installation project, please fill out the form below.