1/2" meter for 3/4" water line

[Taylor]

Does it make sense to have a 1/2" meter (with 1/2" meter couplings) for a house that has 3/4" internal water line? Seems like a lot of pressure would be lost through friction, a waste of energy.

 

[Gary Swart]

It's not pressure you'd lose, that will remain constant with the city's mainline. What you will lose big time is volume or flow. You can only get so much water through any given size of opening without increasing pressure which is not an option. Are you sure the meter is that small? Years ago 5/8" were fairly standard. Now that we are running more and more irrigation systems, 3/4" and even 1" meters are being used. I admit to being a DIYer without vast experience in these matters, but I have never heard of a 1/2" meter. I would opt for at least a 3/4" meter with a 3/4 supply line to the house.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Taylor]

I've been replacing my mixture of copper and galvanized water pipes with new copper. When I came to tie it into the meter, the 3/4" threaded elbow was too big. The sweat side of the connection is 3/4", but the end that connects to the meter coupling is 1/2".

Who is responsible for replacing the water meter? Water company?

Nothing in this house surprises me anymore.

 

[hj]

meter

The water company replaces the meter. YOU pay the required fee for the larger meter, and also the larger supply line if one is needed.