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 accounting of energy and water costs by the Swiss Confederation (DIFEE), in effect since 2017, it is necessary to install:

  • 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 water heater inlet to measure the energy required for hot water production

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

2. Meter Connection

The way the meters are connected impacts how the charge accounts are subsequently made. See below.

Thermal Meter Connection

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 the official guidelines.

Consequence for the 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 individual hot water meters.
  • Heating costs for common areas are distributed based on the areas of the apartments.

Scenario B: A meter only for each apartment.

Not everything is measured.

Consequence for the 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 estimate is 25% of the total costs dedicated to the production of domestic hot water.

Scenario C: No meter.

No thermal consumption is measured.

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

Electric Meter Connection

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 on the distribution: the electrical consumption of the PAC is distinct from that of the common areas. No estimation is necessary.

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

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

3. Installation Example

It is highly recommended to position the heating collector on the floor as well as 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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