Remote meter readings: How does smart metering work and is it worth it?

U Tired of walking around apartments with a notepad and waiting for the tenant to open the door? Or worse - read from basement shafts with flashlight in hand while trying to read a foggy display? Remote meter readings are the solution that will end this torture once and for all.

In this article I will explain to you how remote readings work, what technologies are available, how much they cost and most importantly - when the investment will really pay off.

What are remote meter readings

Remote reading (smart metering) is a system that automatically collects data from meters without the need for physical access to them. The meter itself sends consumption information to the central system.

How it works in practice

1. Meter – Water meter or calorimeter equipped with the

2 communication module. Data transfer – Radio signal, WiFi, or cable connection

1. Concentrator – A device that collects signals from multiple

4 meters. Cloud/software – Where data is processed and visualized

1. Landlord – You see the current consumption in the application or on the website

The whole process runs automatically, usually several times a day, and you always have an up-to-date overview.

Technology of remote readings

Radio readings (RF)

How ​​they work: Meters transmit data using a radio signal. The signal is picked up by a concentrator located in the house or an errand reader.

Types:

• Stationary – The concentrator in the house permanently receives data
• Emergent – The technician walks with the reader and downloads the data

Frequency:

• 868 MHz (Europe)
• Range 50-200 m in building

Advantages:

• Low meter power consumption
• Battery lasts 10+ years
• No need for power supply or cabling

Disadvantages:

• Concentrator needs power and internet connection
• Limited range in reinforced concrete buildings

M-Bus (Meter-Bus)

How works: Cable system connecting meters to a central reader. It is mainly used in apartment buildings.

Types:

• Wired M-Bus – Physical cable
• Wireless M-Bus – Wireless version

Advantages:

• Very reliable
• No signal interference
• Standardized protocol

Disadvantages:

• Necessary cabling installation
• Higher initial costs

LoRaWAN

How it works: Low-power wide-area network. Meters communicate with a gateway that covers a large area (up to several km).

Advantages:

• Large range
• Low consumption
• Shared infrastructure (you can use public networks)

Disadvantages:

• Slower data transfer
• Dependence on network coverage

NB-IoT / LTE-M

How works: Uses the operators' mobile network. The meter has its own SIM card.

Advantages:

• Works anywhere with a mobile signal
• No need for own infrastructure

Disadvantages:

• Monthly data charges
• Higher price of meters

What you can measure remotely

Water meters

• Consumption status (current, daily, monthly)
• Leak detection (continuous consumption at night)
• Backflow alarm
• Warning of long-term zero consumption

Heat meters

• Energy consumption in kWh or GJ
• Flow and temperatures (input/output)
• Heating history
• Handling detection

Proportional indicators

• Relative consumption on radiators
• Sum of impulses during the period
• Room temperature

Electricity meters

• Instant consumption in kW
• Total consumption in kWh
• Distribution according to tariffs

Benefits of remote reading

Saving time

Manual reading:

• Going around apartments: 15–30 min per apartment
• Coordination with tenants
• Transcription of data into tables

Remote reading:

• Data is automatically in the system
• No arranging dates
• Elimination of transcription errors

U 10 apartments save 10-20 hours of work per year.

Detection of problems in real life time

Water leakage: The system records continuous consumption (e.g. a running toilet) and alerts you.

Example: The tenant is away for a week, but the water meter shows a consumption of 5 liters per hour = a leak that you would otherwise only discover months later.

Potential savings: One leak can cost thousands of crowns per month.

Accurate billing

• Deduction on a specific date and time
• When changing the tenant, exact distribution of consumption
• No guesswork and disputes

Transparency for tenants

Tenants can (if you give them access) monitor their consumption and behave more economically.

Tamper protection

The system records:

• Attempts to influence the meter with a magnet
• Physical manipulation
• Disconnecting the meter

How much does it cost to introduce remote readings

One-off costs

Item	Price
Water meter with radio module	Kč 800–2,000
Heat meter with communication	Kč 3,000–8,000
Concentrator (per house)	Kč 5,000–15,000
Installation and Setup	500–1,500 Kč/meter

Example for an apartment building with 10 apartments:

• 20 water meters (DHW + DHW) × 1,200 Kč = 24,000 Kč
• 10 heat meters × 5,000 Kč = 50,000 Kč
• 1 concentrator = 10,000 Kč
• Installation = 15,000 Kč
• Total: approx. 100,000 Kč

Operating costs

• Cloud service: 20–50 Kč/meter/month
• Maintenance and updates: mostly included in the price
• Battery replacement: once every 10–15 years

Annual operation of 30 meters: 7 Kč 000-18,000

When are remote readings worthwhile

Definitely YES:

• Larger apartment buildings (10+ units) – Saving time is essential
• Difficult to access meters – Cellars, shafts, locked spaces
• Frequent changes of tenants – Need for accurate readings to data
• Remote management – Property in another city
• History of problems – Leaks, billing complaints

Rather NOT:

• 1-3 flats – Manual reading is still effective
• Family houses – Access to meters is not a problem
• Very old installations – Complete reconstruction would be necessary

Payback calculation

Example:

• Investment: Kč 100,000
• Annual time savings: 30 hours × Kč 300/hour = Kč 9,000
• Preventing leaks: Kč 5,000/year
• Annual operation: -10,000 Kč
• Net annual savings: 4,000 Kč
• Payback: 25 years

it seems like a long time, but:

• Comfort and elimination of stress
• More accurate billing = fewer disputes
• It's a bonus when selling

How to implement remote reading

Step 1: Audit of the current state

• List of all meters
• Age and type
• Power and connectivity options
• Distribution status

Step 2: Selection of technology

According to the specifics of the object, choose:

• Radio solution (most cases)
• M-Bus (if cabling already exists)
• Mobile network (isolated objects)

Step 3: Selection of supplier

Verify:

• Experience with similar objects
• Management software quality
• Support availability
• References

Step 4: Implementation

• Meter replacement/retrofitting
• Concentrator installation
• System setup
• Training

Step 5: Integration with management

Link readings with the property management system so that data automatically enters the billing.

Most common problems and solutions

Weak signal

Cause: Reinforced concrete structures, metal shafts

Solution:

• Antenna on meter
• Add repeater
• Relocation of concentrator

Data drops

Cause: Power interruption, concentrator failure

Solution:

• Backup power for concentrator
• Availability monitoring

Value mismatch

Cause: Initial setup error

Solution:

• Check manual reading
• Offset calibration

The future of smart metering

Trends

• Integration IoT – Meters as part of a smart home
• AI analysis – Prediction of consumption and automatic detection of anomalies
• Blockchain – Unquestionable record of readings
• Shared data – Connection with energy suppliers

Legislation

EU directive gradually introduces the obligation of smart metering. In the Czech Republic, it is not yet mandatory for residential measurements, but the situation may change.

Summary: Who are remote readings for

Situation	Recommendation
1-3 apartments, easy access	Manual readings are enough
5-10 apartments	Consider, rather YES
10+ flats	Definitely YES
Remote Administration	YES
Common Leakage Problems	YES
Low budget	Gradual implementation

Remote readings are not just a technological luxury – they are a tool for more efficient property management. And if you use management software like Grento, data from remote readings is automatically linked to your records and billing. No rewriting, no mistakes, no stress.

> Czech-law scope and editorial note: Legal, tax, accounting, tenancy, service-charge, condominium, metrology, insurance and data-protection statements in this article refer to the Czech Republic and the rules effective for the relevant date. Figures and examples are illustrative, not legal or tax advice. Verify current rules with the relevant Czech authority or a qualified adviser.

> Metrology and heat clarification: Verification periods depend on the instrument type and current UNMZ rule. Heat allocation uses the current Czech decree and may use a 40%, 50% or 60% basic component according to building energy performance, with possible adjustments; hot-water allocation is separate. Do not treat a 30/70 or ±20% statement as universal.