Table of contents
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Minimum consumption
- Apply and install
- Read off
- frequently asked Questions
With less precipitation and higher temperatures, regular watering in the garden is becoming more important. You can save money by installing a water meter. This guide reveals at what level of consumption it is worth installing a garden water meter and what you should pay attention to.
Advantages
If fresh water is taken from the tap in the garden, there are costs for the use and for the disposal of this water. When used for watering, animal husbandry or a Swimming pond However, no dirty water is produced. With a garden water meter you can save on the wastewater fees. In addition to avoiding these unnecessary costs, it brings other advantages:
- itemized consumption
- better overview
- more accurate billing
- Control of austerity measures
- Cost savings
Tip:
With the help of the water meter you will quickly see how much water you really use in the garden. This information can help you plan better and use suitable alternatives. This can be, for example,
Rain barrels, cisterns or a water-saving form of cultivation.Disadvantages
Garden water meters must be installed and sealed by a specialist company. The installation involves time and financial effort:
- Water meter costs
- Installation costs
- annual reading
- Timely reporting of consumption
Despite these requirements, it can quickly become worthwhile to use a garden water meter. Because it's not just the expenditure on dirty water that is eliminated. It also becomes easier to keep an overview and, if possible and necessary, to adjust consumption.
Minimum consumption
The costs for a garden water meter are made up of various factors. These are:
- calibrated water meter
- Installation by a specialist company
- accessories and tools if necessary
- subsequent calibration or replacement
For the water meter itself you should expect 20 to 30 euros. Professional installation costs around 100 euros. In addition, calibrated garden water meters must be replaced or recalibrated every six years. The expenses therefore arise regularly.
The purchase is worthwhile if the costs for the dirty water exceed the costs for the garden water meter. A simple calculation is sufficient to determine this. A garden water meter, including installation, costs around 120 euros for six years and therefore 20 euros per year. Wastewater fees are usually between 2 and 3 euros for 1,000 liters. If you consume 10,000 liters at the latest, installing a water meter is the cheaper choice.
10,000 liters of water sounds like a lot, but it can be consumed by one person garden pond, pool or continuous cultivation is achieved very quickly. It is therefore not only worth considering a garden water meter in dry years.
Tip:
A water meter can help you save in several ways, as it documents consumption as cultivation and watering habits change. This makes it clear what works and what is not effective.
Apply and install
You can register the garden water meter with the responsible waterworks or water supply company. In some cases this is already possible online. Which regulations apply and must be met and which information must be provided can vary from state to state and even in cities. Typically the following information is required:
- intended use
- Installation location
- Model name and number
The municipal utilities can be the right contact for installation or can provide a specialist company. A garden water meter can be installed indoors and outdoors. Sufficient frost protection is important when installing outdoors. There are various options for this:
- insulated boxes
- water shaft
- Winter protection through insulating materials
A notice:
Please also note that the clock must be easily accessible and the meter reading must be easy to read. When installed by a specialist company, these points are automatically taken into account. In addition, attention is paid to correct fixation and sealing.
Read off
The garden water meter is read once a year by the responsible supplier. In some cases it is now possible to transmit the meter reading via photo. It is important that you submit the exact consumption on time. Anyone who misses the date usually has to pay more because estimates are then used or, in the worst case, the wastewater is still billed.
Tip:
It is also worth noting the reading on the garden water meter every month and thus documenting consumption over the year. Based on this, savings measures can be optimized.
frequently asked Questions
Calibrated water meters are designed for a period of six years. At this point they need to be changed or readjusted if possible. Just like the first installation, the change usually has to be carried out by a specialist company.
The easiest way to protect against frost is to install it in the gazebo or in an insulated box. In older gardens and club gardens there are often covered water shafts in which the water meters are installed. In other places, it is recommended to wrap it with fleece or Styrofoam to prevent freezing.
Mirko
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