Table of Contents

Heating - Heating and Water Metering

1. Connection Diagram

The individual metering of heating and water allows for the equitable distribution of heating costs among the occupants of a building.

According to the requirements of the Individual Energy and Water Charge Accounting of the Swiss Confederation (DIFEE) in effect since 2017, the following must be installed:

  • one thermal energy meter (heating) per apartment
  • one hot water meter per apartment
  • one thermal energy meter at the boiler outlet to measure total consumption and determine the share of communal areas
  • one thermal energy meter at the hot water tank inlet to measure the energy required for hot water production

If there is a desire to fairly distribute the costs of water consumption and treatment, a cold water meter is installed for each apartment as well as for common areas (laundry, irrigation, etc.).

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2. Meter Connection

The way the meters are connected affects how the charge assessments are subsequently performed. See below.

Thermal Meter Connection

The diagrams below also apply to other types of boilers than a heat pump (wood, gas, etc.).

Scenario A: A main meter at the boiler outlet, a meter for hot water production, and a meter for each apartment.

This is the correct scheme as recommended by official guidelines.

Consequence for distribution:

  • Heating costs are distributed among each occupant according to the consumption measured by the individual meters of the apartments.
  • Hot water production costs are distributed based on each individual's hot water consumption, measured via the individual hot water meters.
  • Heating costs of the communal areas are distributed based on the areas of the apartments.

Scenario B: A meter only for each apartment.

Not everything is measured.

Consequence for distribution:

  • Heating costs of the communal areas are estimated.
  • Costs for hot water production are estimated.

If the main meter at the boiler outlet is omitted, it is strongly recommended to install at least one meter for hot water production.

Nevertheless, without this meter, the usual estimation is 25% of the total costs allocated to the production of domestic hot water.

Scenario C: No meter.

No thermal consumption is measured.

Consequence for distribution: heating costs are distributed based on the areas of the apartments.

Electric Meter Connection

If the heating system is a heat pump (PAC), it is powered by electricity.

Scenario A: One meter for the heat pump and one meter for the common areas.

Consequence for distribution: the electricity consumption of the heat pump is distinct from the common areas. No estimation is necessary.

Scenario B: A single meter for the heat pump and the common areas.

Consequence for distribution: the electricity consumption of the common areas must be estimated.

See heating and water meters
See how to establish a charge assessment

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Community - Electrical Metering - RCP

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