Table of Contents

Heating - Heating and water metering

1. Connection Diagram

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

According to the requirements of the Swiss Federal Ordinance on the Individual Apportionment of Energy and Water Costs (DIFEE) in force since 2017, the following must be installed:

  • a thermal energy meter (heating) per apartment
  • a hot water meter per apartment
  • a thermal energy meter at the boiler output to measure the total consumption and deduct the share for common areas
  • a thermal energy meter at the water heater inlet to measure the energy required for hot water production

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

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2. Meter Connection

The way the meters are connected has an impact on how the expense statements are subsequently generated. See below.

Thermal Meter Connection

The diagrams below also apply to boiler types other than Heat Pumps (e.g., wood, gas, etc.).

Scenario A: One main meter at the boiler output, one meter for hot water production, and one meter for each apartment.

This is the correct diagram as recommended by official guidelines.

Impact on allocation:

  • Heating costs are allocated among each occupant based on consumption measured by the individual apartment meters.
  • Hot water production costs are allocated based on each person's hot water consumption, measured via individual hot water meters.
  • Heating costs for common areas are allocated based on apartment floor areas.

Scenario B: Only one meter per apartment.

Not everything is measured.

Impact on allocation:

  • Heating costs for common areas are estimated.
  • Hot water production costs are estimated.

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

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

Scenario C: No meters.

No thermal consumption is measured.

Impact on allocation: Heating costs are allocated based on apartment floor areas.

Electricity Meter Connection

If the heating system is a Heat Pump (HP), it is powered by electricity.

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

Impact on allocation: The HP's electricity consumption is separate from the common areas. No estimation is required.

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

Impact on allocation: Common area electricity consumption must be estimated.

See Heating and Water Meters
See how to generate an expense statement

3. Installation Example

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

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