About Situation with Smart Hot Water Meters in Tashkent
Recently, social media and various publications have been discussing the topic of smart hot water meters, with concerns being raised that the installed devices do not always transmit readings automatically.
What is actually happening
The hot water meters installed in a number of Tashkent districts are modern ultrasonic digital meters that technically support remote data transmission. Their selection and procurement are carried out within the framework of approved heating system modernization programs. All installed devices comply with current technical requirements.
At the same time, automatic transmission of readings depends not only on the meter itself, but also on the communication infrastructure, which includes:
· receiving antennas, · data transmission channels.
At the current stage, coverage of the receiving infrastructure is not yet complete. In certain buildings:
· the signal from the meter may not reach the antenna; · the structural features of buildings may hinder stable data transmission; · in some cases, external radio frequency conditions affect signal reception quality, including the location of objects that may reduce the stability of wireless communication; · obtaining permits for the activation of new antennas is also required, which involves regulated procedures. The Company is making every effort to accelerate and streamline this process.
If automatic data transmission is temporarily unavailable, this does not mean that the device is "not working" or "not supported by the system."
It is important to note that even in the absence of a connection, the meter continues to accurately measure the volume of hot water consumed and stores the data in its internal memory. Once a stable connection is restored, the accumulated readings are transmitted to the system automatically.
In such cases:
· the meter is registered in the information databases; · readings are accepted manually — by phone, through the call center, or upon the consumer's request.
Why the installation of such meters is justified
It is important to understand: a "smart" meter is an investment in a long-term digital metering model.
Even when readings are temporarily entered manually, such devices:
· provide more accurate consumption metering; · reduce the human factor in reading collection; · are ready for automatic data transmission without equipment replacement as the infrastructure develops.
This is a fundamental distinction from outdated mechanical meters.
What comes next
Work on expanding the data reception network and developing digital systems is continuing in phases.
As new antennas are connected, an increasing number of meters will transition to fully automatic reading transmission.
Until this phase is complete:
· consumers incur no additional costs; · manual reading submission is a temporary procedure; · charges are calculated in accordance with current legislation.
We thank residents for their feedback and understand the questions that arise.
All inquiries are recorded and used to prioritize system development and improve service quality.