Is a water meter worth it in the UK?
Where a link is marked *, it is a partner link — we receive commission at no extra cost to you. Links without a * earn us nothing. How we make money.
In short: A meter often saves money for small households in large homes — couples in four-bedroom houses frequently cut bills 30%–50%. Large families with high use may pay more metered than on unmetered rateable value charges. Use your company's calculator before switching.
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
Water companies in England and Wales must fit meters free on request. Many let you switch back within 12–24 months if bills rise.
Unmetered bills use historic rateable values unrelated to current occupancy — unfair when few people use many bedrooms.
Assessed charges apply where metering is impractical — still worth reviewing if occupancy changed.
See water meter vs unmetered guide and water bill reduction guide.
Primary source: gov.uk/read-your-water-meter
Part of our Bills & utilities
This quick answer sits inside our wider bills & utilities hub — with sub-guides, calculators and step-by-step explainers on the same topic.
Read the full bills & utilities guide →