Why doesn’t Sonic show exactly the same water usage as my utility meter?
It is normal to see a small difference between Sonic and your utility-issued water meter, even when they are installed close together.
No two independent flow-measuring devices will record identical totals. They may use different measurement technologies and each operates within its own permitted accuracy tolerance.
In addition, real-world plumbing conditions such as flow profile, pipe layout, nearby fittings and pressure variations can slightly influence readings. Even when installed in series, a small percentage variance is expected.
In the UK, utility billing meters must comply with the Measuring Instruments Regulations (MID).
These allow up to ±5% error at lower flow rates and up to ±2% across normal and higher flow ranges.
This means even certified billing meters are not designed to measure with zero deviation.
Sonic Wi-Fi is a smart shut-off valve with an integrated flow meter. It is designed for monitoring, leak detection and water usage insights rather than certified billing measurement. According to our published specification, maximum measured error is ±5% for flows above 1 litre per minute and ±50 ml for flows below 1 litre per minute.
In controlled laboratory conditions we often observe tighter performance, but the declared specification allows for real-world installation and operating variables.
A small percentage variance between Sonic and a utility meter - generally within a few percent over time - falls within expected performance ranges for both types of device and does not indicate a fault.
If you observe a significantly larger or increasing discrepancy, please contact our support team and we will be happy to assist.
No two independent flow-measuring devices will record identical totals. They may use different measurement technologies and each operates within its own permitted accuracy tolerance.
In addition, real-world plumbing conditions such as flow profile, pipe layout, nearby fittings and pressure variations can slightly influence readings. Even when installed in series, a small percentage variance is expected.
In the UK, utility billing meters must comply with the Measuring Instruments Regulations (MID).
These allow up to ±5% error at lower flow rates and up to ±2% across normal and higher flow ranges.
This means even certified billing meters are not designed to measure with zero deviation.
Sonic Wi-Fi is a smart shut-off valve with an integrated flow meter. It is designed for monitoring, leak detection and water usage insights rather than certified billing measurement. According to our published specification, maximum measured error is ±5% for flows above 1 litre per minute and ±50 ml for flows below 1 litre per minute.
In controlled laboratory conditions we often observe tighter performance, but the declared specification allows for real-world installation and operating variables.
A small percentage variance between Sonic and a utility meter - generally within a few percent over time - falls within expected performance ranges for both types of device and does not indicate a fault.
If you observe a significantly larger or increasing discrepancy, please contact our support team and we will be happy to assist.