Water meters and heat meters allow you to control the amount of media used. On the one hand, they provide such information to the property user, and on the other hand, they enable the supplier or building supervisor to collect it. Some time ago, reading water and heat meters was problematic, but today - thanks to modern radio solutions - their use is convenient and safe for each interested party. Find out which meters to recommend to your customers!
From this text you will learn:
- how radio heat meters and water meters work,
- what is the difference between reading meters via radio and standard solutions,
- why it is worth encouraging customers to use radio water and heat meters,
- what products we recommend to installers.
What is radio reading of water and heat meters?
Radio reading (also known as remote reading) is a measurement technology that uses automatic transmission of electronic data from the transmitter to the base . Currently, this solution is widely used by media providers. Its advantage is the ability to download information from various types of meters - from a water or heat meter, through a gas meter , to an electricity meter . A receiver is used for this purpose, usually taking the form of a collector device.
The structure of a radio water meter consists of a meter with a specific serial number and a radio overlay with a unique identifier. The device can operate in one of two ways:
- The stationary data collection system involves automatic transmission of information from the water meter to the plant. Communication takes place completely remotely. The meter with a radio module transmits data to the server via the GSM network.
- The collector data collection system is definitely a more popular solution and assumes radio communication between the water meter transmitter and the collector set (i.e. a mobile device such as a laptop or tablet). The overlay can emit a signal continuously or only when activated by reading equipment appearing nearby. In both cases, data on utility consumption is saved in the collector's database.
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Water meter reading via radio and traditional methods - what are the differences?
So far, compact meters with dials indicating the current level of utility consumption were installed in buildings. Knowledge of this data allowed tenants to adjust the amount of the advance payment, which was regularly paid towards the year's consumption of the medium. Unfortunately, water and heat meters were often installed in hard-to-reach places, which only complicated their reading. Users often did not realize how much media they used. They could miss such failures as leaking cisterns or other leaks, which in the long run translate into significant losses and higher bills.
Water and heat meters were also regularly - usually once a year - read by the collector. To do this, he had to enter the premises and obtain data from the meter. However, he did not always find someone at home, and the sometimes complicated installation of measuring devices could make it difficult for him to read. All this generated unnecessary problems and lengthened the process of verifying tenants' utility consumption.
As you know, water meters and radio heat meters work completely differently. They record readings from the last 12 months in memory and emit them in weak pulses, allowing them to be retrieved. The mechanical counter and the radio module work simultaneously, which allows verification of both recorded values. Additionally, the sets are equipped with sensors that signal possible interference with the device, such as flooding, attempts to dismantle it or affecting it with a magnet.
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Advantages of radio reading of water and heat meters
Nowadays, installing traditional water and heat meters does not make much sense. You can always recommend radio measuring devices to your customers with a clear conscience. Especially for you, we collect all their most important advantages in one place, both from the perspective of the tenant and the collector.
Advantages of radio readings from the tenants' perspective:
- Possibility of convenient monitoring of current utility consumption - thanks to the fact that the user has access to online readings, he can regularly control water or heat consumption from his smartphone. On this basis, it will possibly adjust the amount of its advances.
- Detecting installation faults at an early stage - by monitoring water consumption on an ongoing basis, the tenant will quickly notice losses resulting, for example, from possible leaks from the water supply system. You will be able to react quickly and reduce unnecessary expenses.
- Freedom and flexibility - thanks to the fact that the collector remotely reads the water and heat consumption, the tenant does not have to adapt to his schedule and wait specially in the apartment to allow him access to the measuring device.
Advantages of radio readings from the perspective of collectors:
- Saving time - to take a reading, the collector does not have to go to each apartment in turn. Most often, it is enough to be located in front of the building or in the stairwell for the signals from water meters and other meters to reach its receiver.
- Elimination of errors during readings - the radio signal is precise and allows you to avoid common human errors that occur during traditional readings.
- Archiving readings directly in the database - data from water meters and heat meters go directly to the mobile device, where they are saved. This minimizes the risk of losing readings.
- Possibility to detect attempts to manipulate the meter - radio reading detects any interference with the correctness of measurements. Thanks to this, the collector can easily track down dishonest customers.
- Convenience - the collector does not have to worry about meters that are difficult to access, because communication between the devices takes place completely remotely. He also does not need the tenants to be present in the apartment to take the reading.
BMeteres radio water and heat meters
If you are working on water or heating installations, choose BMeters measuring devices, which you will find in the assortment of our online wholesaler. They represent high quality workmanship and guarantee reliability and comfort.
The offer includes, among others:
- water meters for cold water,
- water meters for hot water,
- compact heat meters,
- antimagnetic single-jet dry water meters,
- water meter consoles,
- water meter fittings,
- other accessories necessary for installation.
Knowing the most important advantages of radio water meters and the attractive offer of the manufacturer BMeters, you can confidently recommend this type of solutions during customer service. They will translate into mutual benefit - both for the tenant of the apartment and the collector or building supervisor.
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