Among the growing number of smart water meters available today, the Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 earns attention for its precision, durability, and low upkeep. But is it the right fit for rental properties? This review explores how it performs in real-world submetering environments and where its advantages and limits truly lie.
Why Smart Meters Matter for Rental Properties
Traditional metering setups in rentals are often inefficient, difficult to maintain, and require manual data collection. Many legacy systems measure building-level consumption, with costs allocated to residents.
Smart submetering allows landlords to measure individual unit consumption and provide accurate, unit-level billing. This increases billing transparency, allows landlords to shift utility costs to the tenants who generate them, and reduces admin and labour costs.
Smart meters like the Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 offer low-maintenance, durable solutions that can deliver advanced functionalities like leak detection in addition to accurate measurement.
What is the Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 Ultrasonic Water Meter?
The Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 Ultrasonic Water Meter is a highly accurate, low-maintenance water meter. Unlike traditional mechanical meters, it measures water volume and flow using ultrasonic technology to provide minimally invasive measurements. An ultrasound is pulsed through the pipe and the time taken for it to travel both directions allows water flow and volume to be calculated.
Here’s a snapshot of the technical features most relevant for landlords:
Battery life: 16+ years
Communications: Integrated LoRaWAN
IP68 protection: Good dust and water protection, so it’s suitable for damp meter cupboards
Leak detection
NTEP certified (required for CA)
Advantages
The Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 offers substantial benefits when used in rentals. Its raft of features make it an effective choice of device. Building owners can enjoy:
Stable, reliable accuracy: Ultrasonic meters provide precision that doesn’t degrade over time, unlike mechanical meters. This ensures consistent reporting and billing accuracy throughout the meter’s lifetime. Each tenant is billed according to their actual consumption, reducing dissatisfaction and minimizing billing disputes that can consume management time.
Low maintenance: With no moving parts and a long battery life, the QALCOSONIC W1 experiences far less wear than mechanical meters. As a result, mechanical failures are rare, maintenance needs are minimal, and budgets can be reduced or redirected away from routine servicing.
Remote reading: Automatic, daily remote readings eliminate the need for site visits and manual data collection - tasks that can be especially challenging in large multi-unit properties where residents frequently change. Automated data collection improves efficiency, reduces administrative and labor costs, and simplifies metering for both tenants and landlords. Overall, it means lower operating expenses.
Leak detection: Built-in leak detection enables early alerts and quick responses before small issues escalate into costly damage. Property managers can act proactively rather than relying on tenant complaints, reducing insurance claims and water waste.
Regulatory approval: The Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 is NTEP-certified, helping streamline the approval and installation process in states that require certified devices, such as California.
Concerns & Considerations
As with all devices, there are some limitations and things to consider:
Battery life: While the Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 has a 16+ year battery life, actual operating conditions can vary based on reporting conditions, so it’s best to work with vendors to find the optimal settings for your needs.
Network coverage: LoRaWAN coverage varies by location; some locations will be poor candidates for LoRaWAN. It’s a simple enough problem to fix: either confirm coverage or work with vendors to install gateways/collectors to ensure proper function.
Installation: These meters should only be installed by qualified professionals.
Upfront costs vs long-term savings: While meters like this can offer significant long-term benefits and savings, initial outlays can be higher than a standard mechanical metering setup.
Where to Get One
If you’re interested in purchasing the Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 ultrasonic water meter, Mainlink is the partner to contact. They offer a complete water submetering solution that includes the Axioma Metering ultrasonic meter, a data management platform, and a mobile app for tenants.
Verdict
For multi-unit landlords who want accurate submetering for transparent billing, automated and remote data collection and transmission, and low-maintenance, durable hardware, the Axioma QALCOSONIC W1 is a solid option. It’s modern, innovative design and robust features make it a standout choice.
