Table of Contents

Heating - Heating and Water Metering

1. Connection Diagram

Individual heating and water metering allows for the fairest distribution of heating costs among the occupants of a building.

According to the requirements of the Individual Energy and Water Cost Statement 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 the total consumption and deduce the share of common areas
  • one thermal energy meter at the input of the water heater to measure the energy required for hot water production

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

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2. Meter Connection

The way the meters are connected impacts how subsequent cost statements are made. See below.

Connection of Thermal 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 diagram as recommended by official guidelines.

Consequences for distribution:

  • Heating costs are distributed among each occupant based on the consumption measured by the individual apartment meters.
  • Costs for hot water production are allocated based on the hot water consumption of each occupant, measured via individual hot water meters.
  • The heating costs for common areas are proportionally distributed based on the area of the apartments.

Scenario B: A meter only for each apartment.

Not everything is measured.

Consequences for distribution:

  • The 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.

However, without this meter, the usual estimate is 25% of the total costs dedicated to the production of hot sanitary water.

Scenario C: No meter.

No thermal consumption is measured.

Consequences for distribution: heating costs are distributed based on the area of the apartments.

Connection of Electrical Meters

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

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

Consequences for distribution: the electricity consumption of the heat pump is separate from the commons. No estimation is necessary.

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

Consequences for distribution: the electricity consumption of the commons must be estimated.

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

3. Installation Example

It is highly recommended to position the heating collector and the heating meter in an access hatch located at the entrance of the apartment, rather than at the back of a piece of furniture. This configuration greatly facilitates access to the meter for maintenance.

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