Table of Contents

Heating - Heating and Water Metering

1. Connection Diagram

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

According to the requirements of the Individual Accounting of Energy and Water Costs from 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 output to measure total consumption and deduce the share for common areas
  • one thermal energy meter at the inlet of the water heater to measure the energy required for hot water production

If it is desired 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 room, irrigation, etc.).

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2. Meter Connection

The way the meters are connected impacts how the billing statements are generated afterwards. 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 output, a meter for hot water production, and a meter for each apartment.

This is the correct diagram as recommended by the 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 through individual hot water meters.
  • Heating costs for common areas are distributed based on 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.
  • Costs for hot water production are estimated.

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

Nevertheless, without this meter, the usual estimate 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 surface area of the apartments.

Connection of Electric Meters

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

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

Consequence for distribution: the electrical consumption of the PAC is distinct from the common areas. No estimation is needed.

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

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

See Heating and Water Meters
See how to establish a billing statement

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