What is a Flow Meter? Types & Benefits Explained
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2025-08-27Smart meters are a modern, innovative tool used for utility management (like water or electricity) that allows users to track consumption, usage, and other detailed insights automatically and remotely. They’re an increasingly popular solution for managing utilities worldwide. According to the US Energy Information Administration, almost 120 million electric smart meters had been installed in the USA alone by 2022—accounting for 72% of total electric meter installations in the USA. It’s a similar story for water: according to Smart Energy International, North America is the leading market for smart water meters, with around 86 million smart water meters installed.
So should you get a smart meter? Generally, yes. A smart meter offers numerous tangible benefits, from simplified data collection via remote and automated processes, to detailed insights that support data-driven decision-making, and advanced technologies that enable unprecedented control over usage data – capabilities traditional meters simply can’t match. For example, smart water meters, such as highly accurate ultrasonic meters, offer low maintenance, high accuracy at low flow rate, and advanced leak and non-revenue water detection that older mechanical meters cannot provide. Smart meters reduce operating costs, improve infrastructure performance, and enable accurate utility tracking for both providers and end-users.
What is an ultrasonic smart meter?
The technical definition of an ultrasonic smart meter is an electronic device that records information such as water, gas, or electricity consumption utilizing innovative ultrasonic technology, and can wirelessly transmit this data to both the consumer and the utility provider.
This stands in contrast to a traditional mechanical meter, which records consumption data but does not transmit it—it must be manually read by a person at the physical location and reported to the provider.
Compared to traditional meters, smart ultrasonic meters offer several key advantages that make them a strong choice for many types of end-users:
| Smart meter vs Regular meter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feature | Smart meter | Regular meter |
| Operation | Minimally intrusive ultrasonic technology to measure water flow | Mechanical components such as gears, dials, turbines, or pistons |
| Data collection | Automatic, remote, almost real-time data transmission | Manual readings taken in person and manually reported |
| Costs | Higher initial cost, but lower ongoing operating costs | Lower initial cost, but higher maintenance and labor costs over time |
| Insights/analysis | Multiple advanced insights, such as water monitoring, leaks, freezes, burst alerts, device maintenance, etc. | No built-in analytics or automated insights |
Advantages of Smart Meters
Evaluating smart meters requires weighing both their advantages and limitations, which can vary depending on specific property or utility needs. In general, smart meters offer a range of dependable benefits that make them an attractive option for many utility providers, building owners, and residents:
High accuracy: Ultrasonic smart water meters are highly accurate, even at low flow rates, ensuring precise and trustworthy readings.
Accurate billing: Reliable meter data enables fair, transparent, and accurate billing for end-users.
Leak detection: Advanced capabilities allow users to detect leaks and potential issues early before they cause significant damage or loss.
Automated, remote data collection: Smart meters eliminate the need for manual reads by automatically collecting and transmitting data remotely.
Non-revenue water detection: Advanced analytics help identify non-revenue water issues such as theft, unauthorized usage, or supply-side inefficiencies.
Real-time usage tracking: Real-time monitoring empowers users to adjust consumption and make informed, data-driven decisions.
Flexible installation: Smart meters like the Axioma ultrasonic model can be installed in any orientation horizontal or vertical unlike mechanical meters, which often require fixed positioning.
Simple installation: Designed for efficiency, smart meters reduce installation time, labor, and cost.
Low maintenance: Many smart meters, especially ultrasonic models, have no moving parts resulting in long service life and minimal maintenance requirements.
Regulatory compliance: Smart meters support compliance with national and local regulations by providing on-demand access to accurate readings and consumption reports.
Reduced operating costs: Savings from leak detection, non-revenue water prevention, lower maintenance, and behavioral shifts due to data visibility can significantly reduce costs for providers, owners, and tenants.
Disadvantages and Considerations – of Smart Ultrasonic Meters
While smart meters offer clear advantages, it’s important to understand potential considerations that may affect implementation depending on the specific application, infrastructure, or regulatory environment:
- Upfront investment: Smart meters typically have a higher initial cost compared to mechanical models. However, these costs are often offset by lower maintenance, reduced manual labor, and long-term operational savings.
- Connectivity requirements: Smart meters rely on reliable network infrastructure (LoRaWAN®, NB-IoT, etc.) for data transmission. In areas with limited connectivity or interference, performance can be affected—but these cases are increasingly rare with today’s communication networks.
- Data privacy expectations: As with any digital system, some users may have concerns about how consumption data is collected and used. Leading smart metering platforms address this through secure encryption protocols and strict access controls.
- Installation compatibility: While most ultrasonic smart meters are designed for flexible installation, certain legacy infrastructure may require minor modifications during setup.
- Rare technical issues: Like any digital device, occasional glitches or setup issues can occur. However, ultrasonic meters are among the most reliable, with no moving parts and a long service life under harsh conditions.
Who Should Get a Smart Meter?
Smart meters deliver clear benefits across a wide spectrum of users—from utility providers and large-scale property managers to individual homeowners.
- Utility Providers:
Smart meters offer automation in data collection and billing, network-wide visibility, and real-time insights that improve system planning and water distribution. With a scalable architecture, utilities can monitor usage patterns, detect anomalies, and streamline reporting across large infrastructures. - Property Owners and Building Managers:
For multi-unit buildings and large portfolios, smart meters support unit-level submetering, transparent billing, and leak detection. This not only reduces operating costs through remote monitoring and maintenance-free hardware, but also builds trust with residents by enabling usage-based billing and data access. - Single-Family Homeowners:
Even without the need for submetering, smart meters offer valuable features for homeowners—such as real-time usage tracking, leak alerts, and accurate billing. These insights support conservation, help prevent costly damage, and ensure fair utility charges.
Smart meters are a forward-looking solution for anyone seeking better control, visibility, and efficiency in utility management. While the scale and application may differ, the core benefits—accuracy, automation, and actionable insights—make them a meaningful upgrade over traditional meters in virtually any setting.
What type of smart meter to choose?
In today’s smart meter market, users can choose from several technologies, each with distinct operating principles and benefits. Below is an overview of the main types:
- Ultrasonic smart water meters:
These use advanced ultrasonic technology to measure water volume with sound waves. They are minimally intrusive and do not alter water flow. - Electromagnetic (mag) smart water meters:
These meters create a magnetic field and use electrodes to measure water flow by sensing the voltage generated as water passes through. - Differential pressure meters:
These meters force water through a constricted area and measure the pressure difference on each side of the restriction. (They are less common for new installations due to inherent pressure loss.) - Mechanical flow smart meters:
These combine traditional mechanical components—such as turbines, gears, or pistons—with digital communication modules to transmit data. They measure flow mechanically and report usage electronically.
Each type has unique advantages and limitations, summarized in the tables above for quick reference.
| Smart Meter Type Advantages & Disadvantages | ||
|---|---|---|
| Meter type | Advantages | Considerations |
| Ultrasonic smart meters | • Highly accurate, even at low flow rates• Low maintenance (no moving parts)• Durable and long service life• Does not restrict water flow or pressure | • Accuracy can be affected if air bubbles present in the water |
| Electromagnetic smart meters | • Low maintenance (no moving parts)• Stable accuracy across a wide flow range | • Performance can be affected by strong magnetic interference or non‑conductive fluids |
| Differential pressure meters | • Proven technology• Provides consistent measurement under stable conditions | • May not perform optimally at all temperatures and pressures• Creates a pressure drop as part of its operation |
| Mechanical flow smart water meters | • Established, widely used technology• Provides accurate measurement under certain flow conditions | • Higher maintenance due to moving parts• Accuracy decreases over time and at low flow rates• Can introduce pressure drops into the system |
When choosing a smart meter, consider factors such as upfront cost, maintenance requirements, measurement accuracy, and whether the technology affects water pressure or flow. In many modern applications, ultrasonic smart water meters are the preferred choice due to their accuracy, durability, and minimal impact on system performance.
How to get a smart meter
Obtaining a smart meter is a straightforward process. For utility providers and large property owners, the first step in implementing a robust smart metering solution is to contact a trusted provider, such as Mainlink, and schedule a consultation. The overall process typically looks like this:
- Contact a provider (e.g., Mainlink): Reach out to book a consultation and explore the most suitable solution for your property.
- Discuss your needs: During the consultation, outline your specific requirements whether practical, financial, or regulatory. For example: What type of property do you manage? Do you need new water submetering or a retrofit? Would you benefit from a scalable system with additional sensors?
- Testing phase: A testing phase is essential to ensure proper hardware selection, network coverage, and precise data collection for your property.
- Arrange installation: Once the plan is approved and a date is set, the system can be installed and implemented.
- Start benefiting: After installation, you can enjoy accurate tracking, detailed insights, reduced maintenance costs, and other operational advantages.
For residents, we recommend contacting your building administrator, who is responsible for managing meters within the property.
Choosing Mainlink’s smart metering solutions
Mainlink’s smart metering system is an advanced, comprehensive solution that delivers numerous benefits, including simplified data collection and analysis, low maintenance requirements, and highly accurate resource monitoring.
The solution includes smart meters, converters, the Mainnet LoRaWAN® network for communications, the Mainhive cloud platform for secure data processing and analysis, and an intuitive end‑user app. Together, these components provide a full-featured system with significant advantages for commercial users, utility providers, building owners, property managers, and residents.
Mainlink’s smart metering solutions offer:
- Accurate tracking: Highly precise meters enable near real-time tracking of utility consumption, giving providers detailed system insights and offering residents clear visibility into their own usage.
- Simplified processes and automation: Remote, automatic data collection eliminates the need for manual meter inspections. Businesses can focus on operations while the system handles data collection, billing, alerts, and more.
- Precise data for billing: Integrate our data management platform with your billing system via API to deliver accurate, resident‑level billing.
- Leak detection: Early identification of even minor leaks triggers rapid alerts, enabling providers and residents to address issues before they escalate and to pinpoint sources of non‑revenue water.
- Low maintenance: Durable, low-maintenance meters reduce operating costs and minimize service interruptions.
- Hardware-agnostic installation: The solution can integrate with existing infrastructure if a full hardware replacement is not immediately feasible.
- Scalability: LoRaWAN® communication allows you to expand with additional sensors for advanced monitoring such as leak detection, temperature and humidity monitoring, air quality tracking, cooling energy measurement and more.
- User-friendly systems: The residential mobile app provides access to detailed consumption data, historical trends, and comparative statistics to support informed decisions.
- Security: Integrated communications ensure fast, encrypted data transmission, giving both providers and residents confidence that their data remains protected.
If you’re ready to unlock the full benefits of smart metering, contact Mainlink today for expert guidance on building an effective, future‑ready system tailored to your needs.
