How to choose a water meter + rules for installing it yourself

Which company's water meter is better to choose?

The rating includes 7 manufacturers, the most popular on the Russian market. They have good coverage, have a transparent pricing policy and value their reputation, so they put the high quality of their products first.

Here are the companies we are talking about:

Betar is one of the leaders in the production of energy flow meters. Its product line includes both household and industrial models designed for heavy loads. They are distinguished by their compact size, neat shape, clear dial, and resistance to mechanical stress. They are also distinguished from their competitors by a wide range of operating temperatures and a normal response to high pressure in systems.
Aqua-S - the company produces Pulse flow meters, which are distinguished by high accuracy of readings, versatility, ease of installation and use. They can be used both in apartments and in industrial settings. The products are made from durable materials that are resistant to high humidity. They have a low risk of corrosion, leaks and failures.
Heat and water meter - the company produces water and heat flow meters with characteristics that meet the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation for accounting for the use of natural resources in housing and communal services. She has a wide selection of products with different diameters, functionality, sizes, and degrees of moisture protection. Their installation allows you to forget about verification for as long as 6 years. The company’s devices can be used both at industrial production sites and at private residential properties, depending on the model. One of the popular options in its range is VSG-15-02 110 mm.
Ecomera - the main activity of this company is the production of control and measuring instruments for metering water consumption, with their help it is possible not to overpay for resources. The range includes wing models made of brass, resistant to moisture and high mechanical loads. The permissible error here is 5%. They are designed for use in temperatures from 5 to 40°C for cold water and from 5 to 90°C for hot media.
Itelma - the company offers to buy good water meters that count the number of pulses at the media output. Its products have an optimal price-quality ratio. The products are supplied to the market with good packaging, which simplifies the installation of the products. The key difference between the company’s offerings is their ergonomic design, high accuracy and durability; their average trouble-free service life is 15 years. Each flowmeter comes with a warranty of up to 48 months.
Valtec is a brand owned by . A special place in its catalog is occupied by water meters, which have proven themselves to be excellent in recording the consumed cold and hot water. They are easy to install, easy to use and last for years. All this is ensured by compact dimensions, high-quality assembly, reliable materials, and corrosion resistance.
ECO NOM is a brand under which affordable water meters are produced. It belongs to, which focuses on accuracy of readings and ease of use. It has both ordinary models and offers with a pulse output for connecting to a single network and receiving information in current time mode. Flow meters monitor the consumption of natural resources at temperatures ranging from 5 to 90°C.

The best descalers

Why do you need to install water meters in your apartment?

Nowadays, every resident of the country uses water every day. People need it for drinking, cooking and household needs. If bottled water is most often purchased for drinking, tap water is used for other needs. Many people do not pay attention to the amount of resource consumed. However, receipts for water supply give almost everyone pause. The Russian government has taken a course towards increasing utility tariffs. Sometimes residents simply don’t understand why they have to pay several thousand rubles for water.

Confusion often occurs due to a lack of information on tariffs and payment methods. There are three options:

Calculation of consumption according to the general standard. We have approved maximum water consumption per person. It is this figure that is taken into account. Utility workers look at the number of people registered in the apartment and multiply the standard by this number. True, according to statistics, Russians do not use this standard. Thus, people overpay money.
Calculation of general household consumption. Worst of all options. When calculating, readings are taken from the house water meter and divided equally among all residents. Because of this, someone can safely take several baths every day, and other residents of the house will pay for it.
Calculation based on the indicators of an individual metering device. The best possible calculation. In this case, the meter will measure the actual water consumption in the apartment, and you will pay only for yourself and your needs.

Thus, the benefits of installing water meters in your apartment are obvious. This is the best and only legal option for saving on receipts.

Rating of the best water meters

When compiling the rating, the main emphasis was on analyzing the characteristics of goods and comparing them taking into account these parameters. Before selecting the nominees, we studied their reviews and recommendations from experts, and also conducted our own experiments.

Here's what we paid attention to when preparing this TOP:

Type of water flow metering device – for cold or hot, universal;
Operating temperatures;
Maximum possible pressure;
Areas of use;
Weight and dimensions;
Shape and design;
Manufacturing materials;
Dial quality;
Possibility of remote control;
Corrosion resistance;
Equipment.

We also took into account the accuracy of readings, affordability of the best water meters, ease of installation and use.

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Water meter device

The water meter can be divided into two parts that are independent of each other. The main part is a bronze body. Later it will be installed into the pipe using threaded connections. An impeller is installed in the housing. Water will flow through the housing, rotating the impeller. All this is hermetically sealed with a lid. To be sure of the device, each housing is tested on a test bench with a pressure of 24 atm. for leaks. You can be calm, it won’t spill on your neighbors.

The second, upper part of the device is responsible for accurately calculating the liquid consumed. The design is almost like jewelry, the main part of it is the counting drum. When the arrow on the meter dial goes full circle, the number on the water meter will change, marking one liter. The second part of the meter is also completely sealed.

If both parts are sealed, and water passes only through the first hydraulic part, rotating the impeller, then how is information from the bottom transmitted to the top? The solution is quite simple, the flow of water rotates the impeller, and it has a magnet installed on it. A second magnet is installed in the counting unit. When attracted, they rotate parts that are not in contact with each other, as a result, the entire mechanism begins to move.

Some unscrupulous residents are racking their brains on how to make the water meter stop spinning, slow down, or even better, rotate in the opposite direction with the expectation that the state will also pay extra! We hasten to calm down the hotheads; each meter has a special anti-magnetic shielding ring built into it. So, all attempts to cause “magnetic damage” to the water meter are doomed to failure.

To ensure there is no doubt about the accuracy of the readings, each meter is verified on a testing stand. 200 liters of liquid pass through each device. Counters with errors are sent for additional tuning. The devices should not be lost count. The finished products are sealed and sent to the apartments of budget-conscious residents.

The best hot water meters

Such flow meters are made from special materials that can withstand high temperatures, on average up to 120 degrees. They can be used both in apartments with central hot water supply and in industrial environments. This category presents the 3 best meters in terms of accuracy and ease of use.

Betar SGV 3/15

The water flow measuring device “SGV 3/15” is recommended for use by housing and communal services services, as it is accurate and reliable in readings. However, during prolonged downtime due to exposure to salts, the turbine may stop rotating normally. This option has anti-magnetic protection, so even if you want to, you won’t be able to cut costs in this illegal way. The water meter is easy to maintain and operate, saving the family budget.

Advantages

Inspection is required every 5 years;
Sold complete with everything necessary for installation;
2 year warranty;
Wide temperature range of measured water – from 5 to 90°C;
Clear accounting of natural resource consumption;
Does not require special working conditions.

Flaws

The maximum possible water pressure is 1.0 MPa.

The SGV 3/15 device is compact, which allows it to be installed in niches of small rooms, where every meter is valuable.

Pulse 15U-110

There are no problems when taking readings using the Pulse 15U-110, the numbers are clearly visible, and it is very convenient that they are white and red on a dark background. Reviews note the high quality of the build, but just in case, a guarantee is given for as long as 3 years.

It can be used in water supply systems of apartments, offices, houses with data transfer to an electronic device, which simplifies its management. The device can withstand pressure up to 1.6 MPa. The water meter accurately counts the number of revolutions of the impeller rotating under the influence of the coolant in the pipeline.

Advantages

Shows flow at temperatures from 5 to 90°C;
Both horizontal and vertical installation are allowed;
The measuring mechanism does not contact the media;
Interverification interval – 6 years;
Certified;
Availability of connecting elements included;
The weight is not big - 0.3 kg.

Flaws

Suitable only for measuring high-quality tap water.

VSG-15-02 110 mm

The VSG-15-02 water meter is recognized as the most popular apartment meter in the Moscow region. It is suitable for both domestic and industrial use, but the media in the systems must be clean. Otherwise, the impeller may be damaged, which could lead to poor measurement accuracy. When used correctly, it shows detailed data on water consumption, down to fractions. The device is triggered by pointer and roller sensors.

Advantages

Suitable for both vertical and horizontal installation on pipelines;
Protected from mechanical impact by durable glass;
Not affected by moisture;
Easy to install in small areas;
Simplicity of coupling assembly;
Long service life.

Flaws

May fail at humidity levels above 80%;
It weighs a lot.

Despite the fact that the VSG-15-02 110 mm hot water meter is good and made of high-quality materials, it can still only be installed in heated rooms where the temperature does not drop below +5 degrees.

Types of meters

A water meter measures the volume of liquid that is used per unit of time. Installing water meters significantly saves the family budget, since the user pays only for the water that he actually used. For installation in residential premises, 2 main types of meters are used:

Mechanical: used in apartments and residential buildings, this type of meter is the most common. The advantages of mechanical water meters include low price, availability, large selection of models, ease of maintenance and operation.
Electronic: it is recommended to install it in apartments, since hard, untreated water in residential buildings will quickly damage the device. The main advantages of an electronic water meter are the accuracy of measurements, the ability to mount in any convenient place, receive data remotely, and they also withstand high system pressure well. Along with the advantages, there are also disadvantages of electronic water meters: high price, mains power.

There are also water meters with a temperature sensor; they differ in body color (hot water meter is red, cold water meter is blue) and resistance to high temperatures (up to 150°C). The operation of the IPU with temperature sensors is based on the same principle as that of conventional devices. Accounting for resource consumption in rooms where a hot water meter with a temperature sensor is installed begins when it records the declared temperature. In other words, if the hot tap has cold water, the user does not pay for it.

IMPORTANT! Some utility companies may refuse to register and service a hot water meter with a temperature sensor. In this case, permission for installation can be obtained through the court.

Principle of operation

The basic principle of operation of the numerator is to count the number of revolutions of the turbine, which is rotated by the liquid pressure. There are wet and dry types of water meters. In the wet type, the mechanism is not isolated from water, it wears out faster and costs less.

According to the operating principle of IPU waters are divided into:

Electromagnetic meter: the incoming fluid flow generates a current that is directly proportional to the speed of its movement. Used to measure water volumes in a public water supply system.
Ultrasonic calculator: the volume of liquid is measured by water, which undergoes ultrasonic vibrations. Ultrasonic water meters are divided into external and mortise.
Vortex counter: records the vortices that are created by the “body” located in the pipe. The vortex frequency gives indicators that correspond to the volume flow.
Tachometer meter: in the water flow there is an impeller or turbine, which is connected to a counting mechanism, which in turn converts revolutions into liters.

Most often, tachometer water meters are installed in apartments. This is due to several factors:

accuracy of measurements;
long service life, up to 12 years;
compactness;
low price.

Tachometer water meters are also divided into multi-jet and single-jet.

ATTENTION! The difference between all types of counters lies in the main design detail, since the operation is based on a single principle.

The best cold water meters

These flow meters must be in every home, because with their help it is possible to control the consumption of cold water and save on its payment, for example, when leaving home. They are not designed to withstand high temperatures and are cheaper than devices for metering the consumption of hot media. This category describes the 3 best devices according to experts and buyers.

Betar SHV-15 Betar X-15

The device “Betar SHV-15 Bet.X-15” is designed exclusively to control the flow of cold water, and therefore the maximum temperature of the coolant here is 40 degrees. This model is not sensitive to pressure changes and can withstand high values. It is easy to install and can be installed at any angle. Due to its compactness, the product is especially suitable for small spaces. According to customer reviews, it does not leak due to durable materials and special protection.

Advantages

Acceptable price;
Squeegees included;
Interverification interval – 6 years;
Neat sizes;
The weight is not great;
High quality build.

Flaws

Dull dial;
Too much plastic in the case;
No pulse output.

Compared to most models, Betar SHV-15 Betar X-15 has a dial located at the bottom, which may not be very convenient when placing the product in hard-to-reach places.

Ecomera cold ECO-32

The Ecomera device is designed to work with liquids at temperatures from +5 to +40°C; it is not suitable for recording hot media. It can be used in heating networks of housing and communal services. The device body is made of brass and can withstand significant mechanical stress. The water meter is available in three sizes – 1″; 1 1/4″; 1 1/2″; 2″. The design of this model is more complex than that of single-jet options, and therefore its price is several times higher, while the service life is on average 12 years.

Advantages

Diagonal, horizontal, vertical installation;
The interval between verifications is 6 years;
Withstands pressure up to 16 bar;
Good performance;
Clear numbers.

Flaws

No color highlights on the dial.

The Ecomera cold water meter is considered the best in terms of the accuracy of the results it shows down to the smallest values. However, the device has considerable dimensions and is larger than average in height, and therefore will not be the most convenient for small spaces.

Itelma WFK20.D080

...As our experience has shown, the weight of Itelm WFK20.D080 of 0.42 kg does not create a load on the pipes, and the length of 8 cm is convenient for installation in small rooms...

Expert opinion

The Itelma WFK20.D080 water meter deserves to be among the best because of its high sensitivity; it begins to record media consumption at a flow rate of about 10 l/hour. The device can withstand elevated temperatures up to 110°C, but is primarily designed to work with cold liquids.

The device calmly responds to pressure up to 25 atm. Its use is safe for humans and the environment, since nickel is not used in the production of the unit. Among the features of the product, it is worth noting the ease of installation in any position and reliable anti-magnetic protection.

Advantages

Reading the indication is visual;
High quality of readings;
Excellent build;
Reliable protection against high humidity;
Great design;
Frequent verification is not required; it is enough to carry it out once every 6 years.

Flaws

No pulse output.

The best universal water meters

This is the most profitable option, since such a device can be purchased to control the consumption of both cold and hot water. That is why the cost of these flow meters is not low, although their choice on the market is quite wide. In our rating we are talking about the two most accurate models.

Valtec 3/4

The key advantage of this model is its focus on measuring the flow of both cold and hot water. This meter is installed mainly in apartments. It has compact dimensions and is suitable for installation in limited areas. It is characterized by an increased calibration interval of 6 years. The sensitivity threshold is 0.01 and 0.02 cubic meters. m/h for diameters 1/2 and 3/4″ respectively. Installation of Valtec ¾ does not create any particular difficulties, but the basic kit does not include transition fittings.

Advantages

Warranty period 36 months;
Correct readings even when the pipes are heated;
Not only suitable for drinking water;
High quality connection with pipes;
Durable materials and reliable assembly;
Low chance of corrosion.

Flaws

Not a low price;
The installation length is not large.

Valtec ¾ deserves to be called the best water meter for an apartment due to its resistance to high loads and due to its good throughput. Therefore, it can be considered as a suitable option for industrial applications.

ECO NOM-15-80

The EKO NOM-15-80 water meter is a household one and is suitable for monitoring the flow of both cold and hot media. Non-magnetic alloys are used to manufacture the device, which makes the structure more durable and can withstand high levels of moisture. At the same time, such operating conditions have virtually no effect on the accuracy of readings.

The product has a rotating mechanism, so it can be mounted in two positions - horizontal and vertical. Its long service life is guaranteed by reinforced bearings and a new, multi-stage media quality control system.

Advantages

High quality manufacturing;
Accuracy of measurements;
Interverification interval – 6 years;
5 year warranty;
Does not leak;
Corrosion resistance.

Flaws

A set of mounting parts must be purchased separately;
Length 80 mm.

The operating temperature of ECO NOM-15-80 is 5-90°C, and the maximum pressure is 1.6 MPa, which only confirms the status of a universal device.

Water meter and water consumption

Let's calculate water consumption. For example, a bathtub, the average volume is 200 liters. You can check more accurately by filling the bath with an ordinary ten-liter bucket. 5 liters per day is enough to wash dishes. The average toilet tank is 6 liters, let’s assume we use it 4 times a day, the total will be 24 liters per day.

One more detail, let’s put 3 liters towards unaccounted expenses. In total, on average, with a daily bath, and without taking any saving measures, we get 232 liters per day, which “accumulates” 6.96 m2 per month. Against 12 cubic meters in the utility bill. It's time to think about why we overpay? That is why residents are increasingly thinking about installing individual metering devices in their apartments.

Which water meter is better to install?

For installation in apartments and houses, it is recommended to choose one- or two-jet household appliances. At industrial facilities, turbine options are mainly used. To make it easier to read information, they can have a pulse input. Most models are equipped with anti-magnetic protection, which makes it impossible to illegally save on water consumption.

The choice of a specific counter from our rating may be dictated by the following features:

If the device needs to be installed in a hard-to-reach place, then you should pay attention to Betar SGV 3/15 or Pulse 15U-110.
For vertical placement, VSG-15-02 110 mm and Betar SHV-15 Bet.X-15 are suitable;
In rooms with very high humidity levels, Ecomera will be relevant.
In networks with strong pressure, Itelma WFK20.D080 will be useful.
For those who do not want to do verification often, you can take a closer look at Valtec ¾ and ECO NOM-15-80.

First of all, it is recommended to choose a water meter with the best flow metering accuracy, and only then look at its ease of use and budget. You should also take into account the type of device, since one type is intended for domestic needs, and another for industrial needs.

Ultrasonic meters

Water meters of this type are mainly used in industrial settings, but models intended for domestic use are also available. Outwardly, they may resemble electronic tachometer counters, but you can distinguish the device by the Ultralyd or Ultrasonic inscription. The operating principle is based on the passage of ultrasonic pulses along and against the flow of water. These flows are released and received by special sensors, the information from which then comes to the microprocessor, where the water consumed is calculated.

Ultrasonic meters are very accurate and reliable equipment, but they are expensive, which is why they have not taken root in ordinary apartments and houses. In addition, such water meters are sensitive to the composition of water.