Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about the WaterMeterKit.
Installation & Setup
1. How do I install the WaterMeterKit?
Detailed installation instructions with videos can be found in the Installation Guide. The basic steps are:
- Mount the sensor holder on your water meter
- Connect power via USB-C
- Connect to WiFi
- Add to Home Assistant
2. How do I connect the WaterMeterKit to my WiFi network?
Upon starting up, the WaterMeterKit creates a WiFi hotspot:
- Network name:
watermeterkit - Password:
watermeterkit
Connect to this hotspot and follow the on-screen instructions to select your home WiFi network.
Captive portal not opening? Navigate to http://192.168.4.1/ manually in your browser.
3. Which water meters are compatible?
The WaterMeterKit works with most analog water meters that have a rotating metal 1-liter indicator:
| Brand | Compatible |
|---|---|
| Sensus | ✅ |
| Itron | ✅ |
| Elster / Kiwa | ✅ |
| Schlumberger | ✅ |
| Honeywell | ✅ |
| Actaris | ✅ |
| Diehl | ✅ |
| Zenner | ✅ |
See Installation Guide for the full list.
4. Is the WaterMeterKit waterproof?
No. The device enclosure is not waterproof:
- The main unit is IP20 rated (indoor use only)
- The water sensor is lightly moisture-resistant but not for permanently humid environments
See Warranty and Support for installation location guidelines.
Water Monitoring
5. How does the WaterMeterKit measure water flow?
The sensor detects the rotating metal plate inside your water meter:
- A small metal disc rotates once per liter of water
- The magnetic sensor detects each rotation
- The green LED flashes once per liter detected
6. The sensor doesn't detect water flow. What should I do?
Check the sensor positioning:
- [ ] Sensor covers approximately 50% of the rotating metal indicator
- [ ] The crosshair (center point) is positioned so the metal passes through it once per rotation
- [ ] The red LED faces DOWN (toward the water meter)
- [ ] The black side is visible (facing up)
See Troubleshooting for detailed solutions.
7. Which entity should I use for the Energy Dashboard?
Use Water Total Consumption — not Water Meter Total.
Home Assistant tracks the history of this entity even when it resets on device reboot.
8. Can I track my actual water meter reading?
Yes! Set the Water Meter Initial Value to your current physical meter reading. The Water Meter Total entity will then show your actual meter reading.
Power & Connectivity
9. What power options does the WaterMeterKit support?
| Power Option | Supported |
|---|---|
| USB-C (5V ⎓ 1A) | ✅ |
| PoE | ❌ |
The WaterMeterKit is WiFi-only. For Ethernet/PoE support, see the WaterP1MeterKit.
10. Does the WaterMeterKit require internet access?
No! The WaterMeterKit works 100% locally on your network.
100% Local Operation
All sensor data stays on your local network:
| Data | Where |
|---|---|
| ✅ Water consumption | Local |
| ✅ Temperature & Humidity | Local |
| ✅ Home Assistant communication | Local |
| ✅ Automations | Local |
External Communication
The only external communication is for firmware update checks:
| What | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Version check | ESPHome/GitHub | Check if new firmware is available |
No sensor data is ever sent externally. The update check only fetches a version number.
Disabling Update Checks
If you want to disable even the version checks:
- Adopt the device in ESPHome Dashboard
- Remove or disable the
updatecomponent in the YAML - Deploy the configuration
11. My WaterMeterKit keeps disconnecting from WiFi
Try these solutions:
- Move the device closer to your WiFi router
- Use a WiFi extender if the signal is weak
- Ensure your router uses 2.4 GHz (5 GHz is not supported)
- Check for WiFi interference from other devices
Home Assistant Integration
12. How do I add the WaterMeterKit to Home Assistant?
Once connected to your WiFi, Home Assistant automatically discovers the WaterMeterKit under Settings → Devices & Services.
If not discovered automatically:
- Go to Settings → Devices & Services
- Click Add Integration → ESPHome
- Enter the device's IP address
13. Can I customize the WaterMeterKit firmware?
Yes! The firmware is open source ESPHome. You can:
- Adopt the device in the ESPHome addon
- Customize the YAML configuration
- Add your own sensors or automations
See Usage Guide — ESPHome Configuration for details.
Sensors & Accuracy
14. How accurate is the water measurement?
The WaterMeterKit measures with 1-liter precision — it detects each rotation of the metal plate in your water meter.
15. Why do my temperature readings seem inaccurate?
The built-in HDC1080 sensor has pre-calibrated offsets. If readings are still off:
- Compare with a known accurate thermometer
- Adjust the offset in ESPHome configuration
See Usage Guide — ESPHome Configuration.
Comparison with Other Products
16. What is the difference between WaterMeterKit and WaterFlowKit?
| Feature | WaterMeterKit | WaterFlowKit |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Reads your utility water meter | Measures flow on a specific pipe |
| Installation | On your main water meter | Inline on any pipe |
| Multiple locations | One per water meter | Multiple throughout home |
| Use case | Total home consumption | Individual faucets/lines |
17. What is the difference between WaterMeterKit and WaterP1MeterKit?
| Feature | WaterMeterKit | WaterP1MeterKit |
|---|---|---|
| Water monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
| P1 energy meter | ❌ | ✅ |
| Gas monitoring | ❌ | ✅ |
| WiFi | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ethernet/PoE | ❌ | ✅ (V2+) |
| Water leak sensor | ❌ | ✅ (V3) |
👉 Need energy monitoring? Get the WaterP1MeterKit!
Firmware & Updates
18. How do I update the firmware?
Updates can be done via:
- Home Assistant: Check for updates in the ESPHome integration
- USB-C: Flash via web flasher (see Firmware)
19. Is the firmware open source?
Yes! The complete ESPHome configuration is available on GitHub.
Warranty & Support
20. What is the warranty period?
The WaterMeterKit comes with a standard warranty. See Warranty and Support for details.