Heating - Heating and water metering

1. Connection diagram

Individual heating and water metering makes it possible to distribute heating costs as equitably as possible between the occupants of a building.

According to the requirements of the Individual Statement of Energy and Water Costs of the Swiss Confederation (DIFEE) in force since 2017, it is necessary to install:

• a thermal energy meter (heating) per apartment
• one hot water meter per apartment
• a thermal energy meter at the boiler outlet to measure all consumption and deduce the share of common areas
• a thermal energy meter at the entrance to the water heater to measure the energy needed to produce hot water

If it is desired to fairly distribute the costs of consumption and water purification, a cold water meter is installed for each apartment as well as for the common areas (laundry room, watering etc.).

2. Connection of meters

Connection of heat meters

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

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

This is the correct pattern as recommended by official guidelines.

Consequence for distribution:

• Heating costs are distributed between each occupant according to consumption measured by the individual apartment meters.
• The costs for hot water production are distributed according to each person's hot water consumption, measured via individual hot water meters.
• Heating costs for common areas are distributed according to the surface area of the apartments.

Scenario B : One meter only for each apartment.

Not everything is measured.

Consequence for distribution:

• Heating costs for common areas are estimated.
• The costs for hot water production are estimated.

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

Scenario C : No counter.

No thermal consumption is measured.

Consequence for distribution: heating costs are distributed according to the surface area of the apartments.

Connection of electric meters

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

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

Consequence on distribution: the electricity consumption of the heat pump is distinct from the common ones. No estimate is necessary.

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

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