To accurately measure the consumption of a resource, it is customary to use counters. This time, we suggest finding out which are the best water meters in 2020. Due to their use in practice, in some cases it is possible to reduce the payment for water supply at home.
Today there are 3 types of counters. They will be discussed within the framework of the presented article. We have also collected all the best water meters for an apartment in one list, which will help you decide on the option to install.
We took into account such parameters as the ratio of the price and cost of the product, the demand from buyers and the opinion of professionals, the availability of spare parts in the complete set, as well as the ease of installation. Also, such indicators as the degree of sensitivity to induced magnetic fields, the qualitative characteristics of the constituent elements did not remain on the sidelines.
Content
Application features
Today on the market there is a solid assortment of models of mechanical meters, which are available in different designs, pricing policies and brands of the company that produces them. Along with models of electromagnetic and ultrasonic devices, mechanical ones have become the most practical and inexpensive in price, as practice shows. Such devices are equipped with an impeller and a sectional counter mechanism.
Some models have high performance characteristics, which are associated with the fact that they can serve their owners for more than a dozen years, but there are also those options that are of average quality and hardly “live up” to scheduled inspections.
The need to install meters
In the human body, a substantial percentage is occupied by water. This resource is necessary for regular water exchange with the environment. Throughout human history, people have always settled near a water source. Initially, the resource was used to quench thirst, but today water is used to improve everyday life.
Most of the people on planet Earth have open access to water, and the inhabitants of the villages are trying to provide their homes with such benefits. It is about carrying pipes of cold and hot water into the house. Of course, there is a special fee for using the resource. If you trace the amount in the receipt, you can conclude that this is a very expensive pleasure. But the most terrible thing is not the cost, but the amount of payment, because the rates of calculation of housing and communal services are much higher than those consumed by a modern person. Sometimes, calculations are carried out on the number of prescribed ones, and it is not excluded cases when water is spent more than it should be. In general, situations can be different, and therefore the best cold water meters will be useful for regulating your budget. The installation procedure is fairly straightforward. The user will pay only for the amount of water that was consumed by him, and the overestimated norms of housing and communal services will remain in the past.
Use of the device
If you install a good hot or cold water meter at home, or maybe a universal option at all, then you can not only save on utility bills, but also not pay for the resources that are charged to you if, for example, you were not at home ... Such cases occur when people leave, for example, on vacation, and when they return, they are horrified by the received receipts.
The hot water meter will also become useful in order to save resources. Seeing the spinning numbers on the device, the owner will begin to think about how his costs would be reduced.
Design features
Cold water meters are quite simple in design. They cut into the pipeline cavity. The device is equipped with a flow meter. Inside there are elements such as a turbine, impeller, ultrasonic meter or its replacement - an electromagnet. With the help of these parts, it is possible to transmit data about the water that has passed through the device. The information appears in the outer panel area as numbers.
When choosing which water meter is better, please note that simple household models are not equipped with an electricity supply, but production devices have a more complex design.
Mechanical water meters: rating of the best models
Budget - up to 1 thousand rubles
This is the most simple device, which is equipped with a minimum number of components, as well as high performance. The meter is based on a simple principle of operation, associated with the fact that, through the water flow, the impeller in the center of the device starts to move, it transmits torque to the area of the counting wheel, which gives information about the amount of water consumed in the house.
"DECAST METRONIC" VSKM 90-15 DG
The manufacturer is a Russian company that offers an inexpensive meter at a price of 800 rubles. According to the characteristics of the device's service, we can say that the meter will last up to 10 years without failures. It is this information that users indicate in reviews on the Web.
If you are thinking about which water meter is better to install, then you can consider this option. It is versatile. The meter has a simple impeller design and is equipped with a pulse output in case of centralized metering of hot and cold water consumption. For sensitivity, a reed-type sensor was installed. This is a popular option that can be replaced if an urgent need arises. According to the characteristics of the durability of functioning, as well as the assurances of the manufacturer, the impeller can produce unacceptable errors, but not less than after 10 years of use in practice.
If we analyze the reviews of those who deal with this meter, it will become clear that the model is capable of functioning successfully with water of +90 degrees. Its weight is 500 grams. At the same time, the meter successfully copes with various water hammers, and therefore can be safely used in a private house or apartment.
Despite a number of advantages, it was not without a drawback. It is connected with the fact that the manufacturer does not provide mounting elements in the kit. You can buy them yourself. There are a lot of options on the market, and all because it is a universal model.
BETAR SHV-15
Another model of domestic production, which is distinguished by high performance characteristics. At an inexpensive price - 700 rubles.
One of the main advantages of this option is the possibility of using several mounting methods in practice. Installation is also possible at an angle. The manufacturer himself gives a similar recommendation in the instructions.
The device is able to function normally at a water temperature from +5 to +40 degrees. In this case, the working pressure will be no more than 10 bar.
The warranty period is 6 years, i.e. before the start of the first scheduled inspection. According to the reviews of the owners of this device, the counter is able to last much more up to 18 years.Here, the main emphasis is on the conditions for using the device.
The disadvantage is the fact that this model is used only to measure volumes of cold water.
ITELMA WFW20 D080
The German manufacturer continues the TOP of inexpensive meters, offering a high-quality model that is approved by many users. At a price it is equal to around 700 rubles. This is one of the most popular counters equipped with new chips. Here it is possible to directly read data on the use of the resource from the outside of the counter wheel. The device is also capable of transmitting information to bases at a remote distance.
Such a transfer is carried out by connecting impulse sensors at the output. It is used exclusively in office buildings. Otherwise, the model is typical. It has an increased service life, as users assure in their reviews. Those. has served successfully for over 6 years.
But keep in mind that there have been cases where impulse sensors did not always work correctly.
METER SVU-15
The domestic manufacturer offers an advantageous offer for the price and quality of the meter. The model costs around 450 rubles. This is a versatile device that can operate at +5 - +90 degrees. The design has a certain leakage protection. Due to the use of a special mechanism, it is possible to exclude the "scrolling" after sealing.
It has a peculiarity. For some time, the device is able to withstand the boiling point of water. Note that this is not a very useful feature. But the build quality of the counter is really up to par. Users note in their reviews that they cannot say anything bad about the functionality of this device.
Pulse Output Devices
As a rule, all meters in this group are multi-jet. They use the principle of splitting the flow into smaller jets. Due to this, a reduction in turbulent currents can be achieved, as well as a decrease in the probability of error. The information from the output will be transmitted to the terminal, which monitors the data summary.
ITELMA WFW24 D080
If you are looking for information on which water meters are better to install, then pay attention to this option, which is produced by a German organization. The cost of the device varies around 1,500 rubles. The brand's products make an extremely positive impression. The meter meets all the standards required today that relate to safety and optimal product quality. In fact, the Germans are accustomed to using extremely high-precision equipment with reliable elements for work.
Parts that are made of plastic have a fiberglass base, and therefore the characteristics of wear resistance and durability will be at a high level. Please note that such a counter will serve the owner for exactly 10 years, or even more. This is exactly the warranty period from the manufacturer.
The meter can withstand a powerful water hammer, at which the pressure is 2 MPa. As a result, we can say that we are faced with a variant with the characteristics of "indestructibility". It is also important that when operating with dirty water, which is inherent in large cities, the device does not need to be installed a filter. As for the measurement accuracy, everything is at a decent level. But there is no talk of shortcomings in user reviews at all.
VALTEC 1/2
The counter is manufactured by an Italian brand. In terms of value for money, this option is considered by users to be very appropriate. The cost of the meter is around 1,000 rubles.
It is a mechanical device that has no special features. It looks simple, but the filling is decent. The meter will last for at least 12 years. It is important to note the accuracy of data transmission on water consumption.
The main problem of the device is the impulse output.There were cases in practice when the fact of information transmission was disabled spontaneously by the device. Those. the system still has vulnerabilities. The flaws can be attributed to the low price, which, together with the quality of the counter mechanism, is decent.
ZENNER ETWI-N DN 15
The manufacturer was a German brand that pleases with exclusively high-quality products. At the same time, the counter is presented at an affordable price - 1,500 rubles. It is a versatile device that accurately transmits data on water consumption. Quality materials are taken as a basis, and there is no doubt about the pedantry of the brand. The manufacturer took care of the movement transmission mechanism to work like a clock.
Consumers admit that this option is one of the most worthy today. But there are also comments on the account of the fact that the counter case seems too bulky.
Premium devices
The main feature of the high-priced meters is the case with rugged features. Often, it is made on the basis of cast iron. Along with this, such device models have good performance characteristics, as well as a number of options. But otherwise, they are all also recognized to monitor water flow rates.
"NORMA" STV-50 (Flanged)
The domestic manufacturer pleases with a high-quality mechanical meter, which is suitable especially for flanged pipes. Its price varies in the amount of 9 thousand rubles. It is an anti-magnetic device for cold as well as hot water. It is capable of keeping a centralized record of resource consumption by installing a special pulse sensor. In terms of its parameters, it does not lose at all to other options on the market. It is able to work perfectly in the temperature range from +5 to +90 degrees, and in some versions up to +150 degrees. The service life in this case is 12 years. Although there are reviews of people on the Web who claim that the counter can last even more if you handle it carefully.
Please note that the model is suitable for industrial applications. Flanged meters are distinguished by a special orientation, and therefore installation in a house or apartment is not appropriate.
"DECAST METRONIC" VSKM 90
A domestic manufacturer that pleases with the excellent quality of the device. Its cost is around 12 thousand rubles. The counter is universal. It combines the options of a special model, has a pulse output and increased reliability characteristics of structural elements.
The main feature of the meter can be called functioning at a temperature of +150 degrees.
If you look at the reviews, you can understand that such meters are only in single houses and apartments, since the nominal resource is not fully used. But users note that these are very good devices that will work for a long time, withstanding water shocks or magnetic fields.
"NORMA" SVK 25
The Russian manufacturer offers an excellent premium counter model, the price of which is around 3,500 rubles. According to many buyers in this product segment, this option is appropriate and will last for a really long time.
If you look in more detail in this model, it becomes clear that this is the best option for everyday use. Yes, the price is not the most acceptable for domestic consumers, but it is justified by the excellent characteristics of the device and its qualities, as well as by the manufacturer's package solution. The mechanism of the device is equipped with an anti-friction brass body. There are also nozzles in 25 mm diameter. If we talk about hot water, then the meter can withstand temperatures up to +90 degrees, but with cold water - half less.
It is also worth noting that the meter has a pulse output. It has a built-in protective system against the influence of magnetic fields. It should be noted that the equipment from the manufacturer is at the highest level. There are connecting structures, instructions with a description of installation.
Analyzing the reviews, we can conclude that this option is the best for home use.The meter will last up to 18 years in good working order.
Summing up
At the end of the article, I would like to note that before determining one or another counter option for purchase, it is recommended to consult with a specialist who will help you make the right decision with your choice.
We hope that our article will be helpful in this task. Share your opinion on the rating, perhaps you have something to supplement it. List the pros and cons of your chosen water meters.
And please note that our article is for informational purposes only. We do not impose certain purchasing decisions on you. Do not take information for advertising.