Meter Types
Understanding and configuring different utility meters
Rentigo supports various meter types for different utilities. This guide explains how to configure meters for accurate tracking.
Standard Meter Types
Electric Meters
Track electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
| Setting | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | kWh |
| Digits | 5-7 |
| Decimal Places | 0-1 |
Electric meters often reset or are replaced. Record the final reading before recording from a new meter.
Gas Meters
Track natural gas in cubic meters (m³) or therms.
| Setting | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | m³ or therms |
| Digits | 5-6 |
| Decimal Places | 0-3 |
Water Meters
Track water consumption in cubic meters (m³) or gallons.
| Setting | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | m³ or liters |
| Digits | 5-8 |
| Decimal Places | 0-3 |
Water meters are particularly useful for detecting leaks through anomaly detection.
Hot Water Meters
Track hot water separately when metered independently.
| Setting | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | m³ or liters |
| Digits | 5-7 |
| Decimal Places | 0-3 |
Heat Meters
Track central heating consumption in gigajoules (GJ) or kWh.
| Setting | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | GJ or kWh |
| Digits | 4-6 |
| Decimal Places | 0-2 |
Creating a Meter
Navigate to Meters
Click Meters in the sidebar, then click Add Meter.
Select Property
Choose the property this meter is associated with.
Choose Type
Select the utility type (electric, gas, water, etc.).
Enter Details
Provide:
- Meter Name - A descriptive identifier
- Serial Number - The meter's serial number (optional)
- Unit - The measurement unit
- Location - Where the meter is physically located
Initial Reading
Optionally enter the current meter reading to start tracking.
Save
Click Save to create the meter.
Meter Settings
Identification
- Name - Descriptive name (e.g., "Main Electric Meter")
- Serial Number - Manufacturer's serial number
- Meter Number - Utility company's meter ID
Measurement
- Unit - How consumption is measured
- Multiplier - Factor if meter displays sub-units
- Digits - Total digits on the meter display
- Decimal Places - Digits after the decimal point
Ensure the multiplier is correct. Some meters display in sub-units (e.g., 100 cubic feet instead of cubic meters).
Cost Configuration
Link meters to cost calculations:
- Rate per Unit - Cost per kWh, m³, etc.
- Fixed Charge - Monthly service fee
- Tax Rate - Applicable tax percentage
Multiple Meters per Property
Properties can have multiple meters:
- Separate utilities - Electric, gas, and water each have their own meter
- Sub-meters - Individual unit meters in a multi-unit building
- Backup meters - Replaced meters kept for historical data
When a meter is replaced, create a new meter record rather than editing the old one. This preserves historical data.
Editing Meters
Navigate to Meter
Go to Meters and click on the meter to edit.
Click Edit
Click the Edit button in the meter header.
Update Settings
Modify name, location, rates, or other settings as needed.
Save
Click Save to apply changes.
Changing the unit or multiplier affects how future readings are calculated. Past readings remain unchanged.
Archiving Meters
When a meter is replaced or no longer in use:
- Go to the meter details
- Click Archive Meter
- The meter is hidden from the main list but data is preserved
Archived meters can be viewed by toggling "Show Archived" in the filters.
Next Steps
- Readings - Recording and managing meter readings
- Anomaly Detection - Set up consumption alerts