Choosing the right water meter matters for accurate billing and reliable service — whether you are metering a single home, an apartment block, an estate or a water network. This guide walks through the four things that decide which meter you need, with the right Diehl water meter for each case.
1. Match the size (DN) to your flow
Water meters are sized by nominal diameter (DN). A single home is usually DN15 (½″); apartment blocks, estates and bulk supply mains use larger sizes. Undersizing throttles flow; oversizing loses accuracy at low flow — so size to your real demand, not just the pipe.
2. Choose the technology: mechanical or ultrasonic
- Mechanical (single-jet or volumetric, e.g. Aquila and Altair) — proven and economical; volumetric meters read accurately even at very low flow.
- Ultrasonic (e.g. Hydrus) — no moving parts, so it holds accuracy for years and supports smart / remote reading.
3. Domestic or bulk metering?
For homes and sub-meters, a compact DN15 mechanical or ultrasonic meter is enough. For estate bulk supply and distribution mains, use a bulk meter such as the Wesan or the larger Hydrus DN15–110 range.
4. Do you need smart / AMR reading?
If you want to read meters remotely (for billing, leak detection or prepaid-style systems), choose the ultrasonic Hydrus range, which is designed for automatic meter reading (AMR). For turbid or non-potable water, the Auriga keeps working where standard meters clog.
Frequently asked questions
What size water meter do I need for a house?
Most homes use a DN15 (½″) meter. Larger homes with high simultaneous demand, or shared supplies, may need DN20 or above.
Mechanical or ultrasonic — which is better?
Mechanical meters are cheaper and proven; ultrasonic meters cost more but have no moving parts, stay accurate for longer and enable remote reading. For long-term or smart metering, ultrasonic is the better investment.
What is an AMR water meter?
AMR (Automatic Meter Reading) lets a meter be read remotely instead of by a person on site. Diehl’s ultrasonic Hydrus meters are built for AMR and smart-metering systems.
Still unsure? Send us your application and size and we will recommend the right meter. Browse the full range on our Diehl water meters in Kenya page, or WhatsApp us for a quote.
