Save Money on Your Water Bill with a Deduct Meter
A deduct meter, sub-meter, or separate irrigation meter can measure water used outdoors so an eligible utility can exclude that volume from part of the sewer calculation. The name, billing method, approved equipment, and installation process vary by municipality. Some utilities offer a deduct-meter program, some provide a separate irrigation service, and others use a different sewer-billing method.
A.J. LeBlanc Heating installs the customer-owned plumbing and meter components when the local utility allows the project and the work falls within our scope. Before recommending an installation, our licensed plumbers confirm the current program, approved equipment, permit requirements, inspection process, and likely savings for the address.
Municipal sources: Manchester deduct-meter program and Concord irrigation service.
How sewer billing works
Sewer billing is local, not statewide. A utility may bill sewer use from the main water meter, use a winter-average method, offer a separate irrigation meter, or provide a deduct credit under specific rules. That is why a deduct meter can be valuable at one address and unnecessary or unavailable at another.
What a deduct meter does
The deduct meter is plumbed on the branch line that feeds outdoor uses. It accumulates a separate gallon count that the utility deducts from the sewer charge calculation. The water portion of the bill stays the same; only the sewer portion goes down.
Savings depend on three things: how much outdoor water the property uses, the local sewer rate, and the utility's current billing rules. Homes with irrigation, pools, or substantial seasonal watering can reduce the sewer portion of the bill where an approved program applies. We compare the program and the expected credit with the installed cost before recommending the work.
Who benefits most
- Homes with in-ground irrigation systems
- Homes with large lawns that are watered regularly
- Homes with swimming pools that need topping off or seasonal fills
- Hobby gardeners with extensive outdoor watering
- Households on municipal sewer (deduct meters typically do not apply to homes on septic since there is no municipal sewer charge to deduct from)
How a deduct meter is installed
Installation involves:
- Identifying the line that feeds outdoor faucets and irrigation
- Installing a tee, shut-off valves, and the deduct meter in line with that branch
- Configuring the meter according to your utility's specifications (model, register type, remote reading capability if required)
- Coordinating with the utility for inspection and registration of the meter
The deduct meter must be a model approved by the specific water utility. We confirm the current utility requirements and explain which steps belong to the homeowner, utility, inspector, and plumber before work begins.
Requirements vary by utility
Depending on the utility, the project may need an approved meter, a plumbing permit, licensed installation, an inspection, a separate register or reading device, an application, or a recurring meter fee. The utility's current written rules control.
Cost vs. payback
Installation cost depends on the piping, meter requirements, permit, and utility process. Payback depends on outdoor use and the local sewer rate. We will explain the likely savings and current requirements before you decide.
Schedule a deduct meter consultation
If your NH home has an irrigation system, large lawn, or pool, and you are paying meaningful sewer charges every summer for water that never enters the sewer, a deduct meter is worth a look. Contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating or call 603-623-0412. Serving New Hampshire families since 1928.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a deduct meter save?
There is no reliable statewide dollar amount. Savings depend on outdoor water use, the local sewer rate, and the utility's billing method. The greatest benefit is usually at properties with irrigation, pools, or substantial seasonal watering.
Will a deduct meter work in my town?
It depends on the utility and address. Some New Hampshire utilities offer deduct or irrigation-meter programs, while others use different billing methods or do not offer this type of credit. We confirm the current rule before proposing an installation.
Do I still get charged for the water through the deduct meter?
Yes. The water charge stays the same. Only the sewer charge is deducted for the water that goes outside.
How long does deduct meter installation take?
The plumbing time depends on access and the existing piping. Utility approval, permits, inspection, and meter setup can add separate scheduling steps. We explain the expected process for the address before work begins.
Can I install a deduct meter myself?
Follow the utility's current rules. Some programs require a plumbing permit, licensed installation, approved equipment, and inspection before any billing credit begins. An unapproved meter will not create a credit.