The surest way to reduce utility bills is to install a meter. Is it possible to install water meters on their own and will it be possible to save in this case?
This question is being asked by the owners of the apartments, who ever held a welding machine in their hands. In this case, the law categorically answers - it is impossible. In accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 630 dated October 31, 2011 “On the Approval of the Rules for the Provision of Services for Central Heating, Hot and Cold Water Supply and Sanitation,” any work on installing metering devices must be carried out by a specialized organization that has the appropriate access to a certain type of work.
Despite this, you can find a huge number of instructions on how to install water meters on their own, indicating that not everyone is aware of the consequences of self-assembly. The most harmless thing that can wait for you is a fine. This is because the installation of a water meter is just the first step towards the competent consumption of communal resources. Thus, in order for meter readings to be taken into account when calculating utility bills, it is important that they are sealed and kept on the balance sheet of the local Vodokanal.
Do-it-yourself installation of water meters - consequences
- The organization in order to avoid emergency situations may force the owner of the apartment to dismantle the device installed without permission.
- It may refuse to register the device before it is installed by a specialized organization.
- He can take the counter to the balance, while writing an “fine” to the “master”.
Regardless of which decision Vodokanal takes, the losses from installing the metering device on your own are not commensurate with the benefits received. In addition, as a result of a breakthrough or accident at your site, you will be found guilty. It doesn’t matter at all whose fault it actually happened. Is the cost worth your nerves? Based on this, here is the answer to the question of whether it is possible to install water meters independently: it is possible, but subject to certain rules.
Why do we pay a lot for water?
Many are interested in this issue, so let's try to establish the reason. Vodokanal is obliged to keep records of consumed water. If you install counters for all tenants for free, then for the organization it is too much cost. The current problem is solved by the installation of common metering devices.
In other words, Vodokanal does not install the water meter on the entrance, but on the house as a whole. Then the inspector monthly takes readings of this device, receiving the amount of water consumed by the residents of the house. The monthly water consumption indicators of those residents who have a meter installed are subtracted from the received figure. Then the result is evenly distributed to apartments that do not have a water meter (regardless of the number of rooms and registered people). Thus, you have to pay not for the consumed amount of water, but for the one that was calculated.
As a result, it turns out that you pay not only for the consumed amount of water, but also for what is indicated on the bill, as well as faulty taps from the neighbors. In addition, no one will guarantee that Vodokanal has not yet attributed extra cubic meters to your home.
Installation of metering devices for cold water
Do-it-yourself installation of water meters is a must. Even if more than one person lives in your apartment, and you use water quite actively, all the same, the meter is beneficial, because you will only pay for the consumed amount of water.
Installation of meters for hot water
It is necessary to separately address the issue of installing metering devices for hot water. Quite often, a situation arises when, waking up early in the morning or going to bed at one in the morning, you open the faucet with hot water, but you have to wait a long time when, finally, it will go. If the meter is not installed on hot water, then the flowing cold water makes you spend extra minutes. When the meter is installed on hot water, then, in addition to the time spent waiting for hot water, you still have to pay for cold water at the price of hot water - this is illogical and unfair. Therefore, if you regularly encounter the fact that hot water does not appear for a long time - think about whether to put a meter on it, maybe you should limit yourself only to a device for cold water.
Counter selection
So, before you install meters on the water, you must select the appropriate meter. Mechanical turbine meters are the most practical and cheapest option. There are also electronic devices. Despite the fact that they are more expensive, they are much more likely to fail. In order not to confuse the counters of hot and cold water, you need to remember that they differ in color from each other. If you put a water meter on a hot pipeline for a cold one, then the water utility specialists will simply not allow such equipment to be used. In addition, when buying water meters, you should make sure in advance that they are fully equipped. The composition should include union nuts, connectors with nipples, gaskets, as well as a check valve and filter.
Choosing an installation location
In most cases, the installation of a meter on water is carried out independently on the pipes that divert water from the riser. However, this arrangement is not necessary. In general, a water meter can be installed anywhere in the apartment. And yet, the easiest way to install on the nozzles. As a result, you do not have to turn off all risers, installation can be done after the shut-off valves. According to the requirements of installing metering devices - if the taps are old, then it is necessary to replace them. In this case, you can not do without turning off the water.
For many, the question of whether it is possible to install water meters on their own and how to install them is very relevant. Still, self-installation can not only save, but also significantly reduce utility bills.
Metering devices can be installed on both cold and hot water. Today, there are valve and vane meters. You can choose a water meter at your discretion, taking into account where you plan to install it.
For example, a vane meter can be installed on additional fittings that are made in pipe sections, and a valve counter can be installed on the pipe as a stopcock.
Self-installation of metering devices
Now that we have figured out the question of whether it is possible to install water meters on our own, you need to familiarize yourself with the plan of subsequent actions, as well as make a list of the required consumables and parts.
Instruments
- Scissors, hacksaw, grinder.
- Couplings - provide transition to a different diameter.
- Soldering iron.
- Tow or FUM tape.
Materials
Before installing the meters on the water with your own hands, it is necessary to prepare the following materials:
- Counters.
- Stiff filters - 2 pcs.
- Gas or adjustable spanners up to 30 mm.
- Non-return valves that allow water to be discharged exclusively in the direction of flow, as well as preventing water from mixing.
- Flexible eyeliners (12 mm in diameter, 1 m long).
Step-by-step instruction
Now that you have learned whether it is possible to install water meters yourself, we will proceed directly to the installation:
- First of all, it is necessary to apply for the installation of a meter in the housing office (at the place of registration). Housing office is obliged to provide you with all the necessary drawings and technical specifications that may be required in the work. Most importantly, this appeal will prevent problems with the registration of the water meter.
- It is necessary to examine the current state of the pipelines of hot and cold water, to find out whether there is a wiring from the risers.Such an inspection will allow you to determine the details that will be required to install the meters on the water with your own hands. If the risers are equipped with conventional shutoff valves designed to shut off water, then they should be replaced with more popular and reliable ball valves.
- It is also necessary to purchase everything necessary for the installation of metering devices, namely:
a) counters. As a rule, two are required, but only if the plumbing system consists of several risers, appliances are bought for each riser separately. If the apartment has a geyser, then the meter is installed only on cold water;
b) if the water meters are not equipped, then you should also purchase filters for them;
c) corners and bends. These elements are required to connect the meter with a water pipe. They can be replaced with flexible hoses;
d) FUM-tape ensures a snug fit of the water meter to the pipeline and other parts;
d) gas keys - 2 pcs.
Before installing water meters, you need to purchase the materials listed above. Only after that, you can go directly to the assembly of the plumbing structure. All parts are connected in accordance with the drawing, which was obtained in the housing office.
- The filter is connected to the water meter using a key. Before this, the thread must be wrapped with an FUM tape.
- Then they connect the sweeps or flexible hoses, the thread of which is also processed by the FUM tape.
- As soon as the structure is assembled, water is blocked on the riser by means of a crane or valve. Then, with the help of gas keys, the existing squeegee is disassembled (the coupling and lock nut are unscrewed, part of the pipeline is unscrewed from the shutoff valves).
- In the resulting pipe rupture, a structure with a water meter is installed, which is attached to the stop valves on both sides. In this case, the filter should be inserted from the side where the water is connected, and the arrow-pointer on the device body is directed towards the flow.
- Similar actions are performed to install a second counter. Thus, you can install water meters on your own without any problems.
Final stage
Now you need to apply to the company that supplies water. The application should indicate information about the stopped metering device and a request for its sealing.
Now you know whether it is possible to install the meters on the water yourself and how to properly install them without assistance.