Water Meter Savings Calculator
Find out if you would save money with a water meter. Most UK households that are single people or couples living in larger properties save significantly with a meter.
Water Meter Guide
Who Benefits from a Water Meter?
A general rule: if your household has fewer people than bedrooms, you will probably save money with a meter. Unmetered bills are based on the rateable value of the property (a historical assessment from before 1990) — larger, older, and higher-value properties pay more regardless of usage. A single person in a 3-bedroom Victorian terrace pays very high unmetered bills relative to their actual usage. A family of five in a 3-bedroom new build may actually pay less without a meter.
Average UK Water Usage
Average UK household uses approximately 145 litres per person per day. Breakdown: toilet flushing 30%, shower/bath 25%, washing machine 13%, dishwasher 4%, taps 10%, leaks (UK average) 18%. A typical 2-person household uses approximately 106,000 litres per year. At Thames Water's 2024 metered rate of approximately £1.60 per cubic metre (1000 litres), plus standing charges, a 2-person household pays approximately £280–350 for water — significantly less than the unmetered average.
The Trial Period
By law (Water Industry Act 1999), all households in England and Wales that are not in a water shortage area have the right to request a water meter. If you switch and your bills increase, you have up to 2 years from installation to switch back to unmetered billing — this removes the financial risk of trying a meter. After the trial period, if you have not switched back, you remain on the meter permanently. Renters can request a meter with their landlord's permission — the meter transfers with th
Saving Water on a Meter
Once on a meter, reducing usage directly reduces bills. High-impact changes: fix dripping taps (a dripping tap wastes approximately 5,000 litres per year), install a water-efficient showerhead (reduces from 12L/min to 7L/min — saves £50+/year for a daily shower), use the dishwasher instead of hand washing (dishwashers use 9–15L vs 40–60L for hand washing 8 place settings), fit a cistern displacement device (free from most water companies — saves 1–2L per flush), and collect rainwater for garden
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