Table of Contents

Heating - Heating and Water Metering

1. Connection Scheme

Individual heating and hot 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 overall consumption and deduce the portion for common areas
  • one thermal energy meter at the water heater inlet to measure the energy required for hot water production

To equitably 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 impacts how the billing statements are subsequently 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: One general meter at the boiler outlet, one meter for hot water production, and one meter for each apartment.

This is the correct diagram as recommended by official guidelines.

Consequence for distribution:

  • Heating costs are distributed among each occupant based on the consumption measured by individual apartment meters.
  • Costs for hot water production are distributed based on each one'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.
  • Costs for hot water production are estimated.

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

Nevertheless, 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 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 heat pump and one meter for the common areas.

Consequence on distribution: the electrical consumption of the heat pump is separate from the common areas. No estimation is necessary.

Scenario B: One single meter for the heat pump 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 charge statement

3. Installation Example

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

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