Table of Contents
Schedule the management of heating costs, water, and ancillary costs
This article describes the installation planning. For on-site implementation and equipment configuration on the Climkit platform, refer to the links at the end of the article.
1. Management of heating and water costs and ancillary costs - typical installation
The Climkit Management of heating costs and ancillary costs solution allows for the allocation of heating expenses among building occupants in proportion to their individual thermal energy consumption, in accordance with the requirements of the Individual accounting of energy and water costs of the Swiss Confederation (DIFEE).
To do this, Climkit reads the following meters:
- 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 common areas' share
- One thermal energy meter at the water heater inlet to measure the energy required for hot water production
To fairly distribute the costs of water consumption and treatment, a cold water meter is installed in each apartment as well as for the common areas (laundry, watering, etc.).
Standard connection diagram
Here is the diagram defining the location of heating, hot water, and cold water meters in a standard residential building.
Full thermal metering (recommended by DIFEE)
To correctly allocate the heating costs of apartments, common areas, and energy costs related to domestic hot water production, the following installation is required:
- A main meter at the heat pump outlet
- A meter for domestic hot water production installed on the water heater connection
- A heating meter per apartment
This is the correct diagram as recommended by DIFEE.
In this way:
- Apartment heating costs are assigned to each occupant proportionally to the consumption measured by their individual heating meter.
- Domestic hot water production costs are measured by the meter installed on the water heater connection, then distributed among occupants based on their individual hot water meter consumption.
- Common areas heating costs are determined by taking the difference between the main meter and the sum of the other meters, then allocated among occupants based on their apartment's surface area.
Partial thermal metering
When certain meters are omitted, estimates become necessary. For example, with only one meter per apartment, not all consumption is measured directly.
Consequences for allocation:
- Common areas heating costs must be estimated.
- Domestic hot water production costs must be estimated.
If the main meter at the boiler outlet is omitted, it is strongly recommended to at least install a meter dedicated to domestic hot water production.
In the absence of this meter, the usual estimate is to attribute 25% of total costs to domestic hot water production.
Connection of electricity meters
When heating is provided by an electrically powered heat pump, it is recommended to install an electricity meter dedicated to the heat pump and a meter for common areas. This distinction allows for the correct allocation of energy costs related to heating and those related to common areas consumption.
Communication via M-Bus
Meters are connected via M-Bus then linked to the Climkit Gateway using an M-Bus/RS485 converter.
M-Bus (Meter-Bus) is a European communication standard specifically designed for the remote reading of energy and water meters. This protocol allows for connecting multiple meters (up to 250) on the same two-wire bus, in line or star configuration, considerably simplifying wiring. The cable used must be shielded U72 type.
Heating meter
Thermal meters are installed directly on the closed heating circuit pipe. They measure the flow rate as well as the inlet and outlet temperatures of the circuit, which they then convert into energy (kWh).
Meters are generally supplied and installed by a heating contractor.
It is strongly recommended to position the floor heating manifold and the heating meter in an access hatch located at the apartment entrance, rather than at the back of a cabinet.
This configuration greatly facilitates access to the meter for maintenance.
Hot water and cold water meters
Water meters are installed directly on the pipe and measure the flowing volume (m³).
Domestic hot water (ECS) and cold water (EFS) meters are the same devices but are distinguished by the flow they measure.
Climkit Offer
The standard Climkit offer includes the essential elements for the system's operation: hardware equipment (except meters), software features, and setup-related services.
All equipment is provided pre-configured to simplify installation and ensure proper meter communication.
- Equipment:
- LAN router or 4G Router
- Climkit Gateway
- MBus / RS485 converter
- Software features:
- Reading and recording of heating and water meters
- Setup service:
- Integration of meters into the platform based on commissioning protocols established by the heating and sanitary installer
- Technical coordination and verification of meter readings
- Administrative setup
All products are ordered directly from Climkit.
In most cases, the installation can be performed by the installer without the on-site intervention of a Climkit technician.
Telephone assistance is available if necessary during commissioning.
Detail of equipment provided by Climkit
4G Router
An internet connection is essential for the system's operation. If no connection is available, Climkit can provide it via a 4G router equipped with an active multi-operator SIM card.
Using the Climkit TRB140 4G router offers several advantages:
- Simplified installation: the router is easily installed inside the electrical panel, directly on the DIN rail
- Complete delivery: supplied with its DIN rail bracket and 24V DC power supply
- Ready to use: delivered pre-configured with an activated SIM card
- Economical 4G subscription: low-cost internet connection
Climkit Gateway
The Climkit Gateway reads the meters connected to its RS485 port via the Modbus protocol and transmits the readings to the Climkit platform over the internet.
MBus-RS485 Converter
The MBus-RS485 converter allows for connecting M-Bus meters to the Climkit Gateway's RS485 port.
It is installed on the same RS485 bus as the electricity meters and comes with a 24V DC DIN rail power supply.
It is provided in 2 models depending on the number of connected M-Bus meters:
- MBus60 for max 60 meters; width: 4 DIN modules
- MBus200 for max 200 meters; width: 8 DIN modules
It is possible to connect several converters to the same Gateway.
