Table of Contents

Heating - Heating and Water Metering

1. Connection Diagram

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

According to the requirements of the Individual Energy and Water Cost 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 deduce the share for common areas
  • one thermal energy meter at the entrance of the water heater to measure the energy needed for hot water production

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

Download PDF
Download and edit the diagram

2. Meter Connections

The way the meters are connected impacts how the billing is subsequently carried out. See below.

Thermal Meter Connections

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 diagram as recommended by official guidelines.

Consequence for distribution:

  • Heating costs are distributed among each occupant according to the consumption measured by the individual apartment meters.
  • Costs for hot water production are distributed based on each person's hot water consumption, measured via the individual hot water meters.
  • Heating costs for common areas are distributed based on the floor areas of the apartments.

Scenario B: A meter only for each apartment.

Not everything is measured.

Consequence for distribution:

  • Heating costs for common 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.

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

Scenario C: No meter.

No thermal consumption is measured.

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

Electrical Meter Connections

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

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

Consequence on distribution: the electricity consumption of the heat pump is separate 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 account

3. Installation Example

It is strongly 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.

How Did We Do?

Community - Electric Metering - RCP

Mobility - EV Charging Stations

Contact