Household heating meters: procedure and options for heating calculations

Residents of apartment buildings are often interested in the benefits of communal heating meters, the installation of which has recently become mandatory in all regions of Russia.

It is difficult to answer this question unambiguously, since there are several options for calculating the monthly fee for such a service. Let's take a closer look at the existing accrual procedures, taking into account all sorts of nuances.

The need to install public flow meters

The Federal Law of the Russian Federation dated November 23, 2009 No. 261-FZ “On energy saving of energy resources and the use of metering devices for energy resources used when paying for them” indicates the importance of installing communal meters designed to control heat consumption.

According to Law No. 261, management companies can install heat metering devices without the consent of residents of multi-apartment buildings, charging payments based on the data received

The regulation obliges the installation of such devices in all apartment buildings, with the exception of emergency buildings. In addition, it is considered inappropriate to equip buildings with these devices if the amount of payment for the purchase and installation of a flow meter exceeds the amount of payments for heating received within six months.

Legislators believe that this Resolution will help achieve the following goals:

• Fair distribution of payments for thermal energy supplied to homes. Homeowners who care about reducing heat loss (for example, insulating an apartment or facade) should pay less than those who constantly leak heat through cracks or an open window.
• Motivating residents to take care of both residential and common premises. They should know that the heating fee will automatically increase in the event of an open door or broken glass not only in the apartment, but also in the entrance.

In addition, Law No. 261 officially transfers responsibility for common property to residents. According to this legal act, utility services are no longer responsible for the condition of entrances, basements and attics. All work in common areas must be carried out at the expense of the owners of apartments located in the same building.

Types of common house heat meters

Various equipment is used as heat monitoring devices, which may differ in the method of operation, design features, specifics of maintenance and installation.

Like any measuring device, a common house flow meter is subject to mandatory verification, which, as a rule, is carried out once every 3-4 years.Not only the service life, but also the correctness of the device readings depends on this procedure.

Specialists from an organization engaged in the installation and maintenance of such devices in the city (region) will help you make a decision about installing a particular model. They will talk about the features of the devices and recommend options that work best in local conditions.

They will also advise on equipment (shut-off valves, filters, etc.) that should be purchased additionally, and will also give advice on the warranty obligations of the supplier.

Most often, four types of flow meters are used in housing and communal services:

• tachometer (mechanical);
• vortex;
• electromagnetic;
• ultrasonic.

Let us consider the above devices in detail.

Option #1: tachometer

Such devices, the system of which includes mechanical rotor or vane devices and heat calculators, are considered the most budget option, since their cost is significantly lower than similar devices of other types.

However, their installation, in addition to standard equipment, requires an additional magnetic-mechanical filter that protects both the device itself and the entire system from contamination.

Tachometer meters are powered by a battery, which lasts for 5-6 years. Due to the absence of sensitive electronics, the device can operate reliably for a long time in unfavorable conditions (for example, high humidity)

The main disadvantage of this category of models is the inability to use them with low quality coolant (increased hardness, high percentage of impurities).In this case, the filter quickly becomes clogged, causing a decrease in coolant pressure. Due to this feature of operation, tachometer counters are usually used only in the private sector.

Option #2: electromagnetic

Such devices are based on the well-known property of liquids - the generation of electric current when passing magnetic fields. By measuring the volume of water and incoming/outgoing temperatures, even very small currents can be detected.

Electromagnetic meters are recommended for installation in houses located in regions with good water quality. Such devices also need to be provided with high-quality maintenance.

Electromagnetic devices are distinguished by a high degree of accuracy, but require high-quality installation and regular maintenance by qualified personnel.

If cleaning is not done in a timely manner, the devices begin to overestimate readings. The high content of ferrous compounds in the liquid and poor-quality wiring also contribute to distortion of data.

Option #3: vortex

When a fluid flow meets an obstacle in the water, turbulence is formed. The operation of mechanisms of this type is based on this principle. Such measuring devices can be installed on both horizontal and vertical sections of communication systems, the main thing is that the device is located on a straight section of the pipeline.

The great advantage of vortex instruments is the presence of a radio interface, thanks to which service organizations have the opportunity to remotely take readings and receive information about faults

The advantages of such meters include low energy consumption (one lithium-ion battery lasts about 5 years).Vortex meters are sensitive to pressure drops, as well as the presence of large impurities, which is why they require additional installation of filters.

At the same time, impurities of metal salts in water, as well as deposits formed in pipes, do not affect instrument readings.

Option #4: ultrasonic

The readings of devices of this type are based on the passage of an ultrasonic signal through a water stream. The higher the speed of the latter, the longer the wait for a response.

Ultrasonic meters are very sensitive to welding currents. They are also not very durable in conditions of poor quality water used in the system

Devices of this type perform well in new houses in which there are no deposits in the pipes. However, foreign impurities, differences heating system pressure, air bubbles in water can significantly increase the readings of flow meters in this category.

Before installing the flow meter you need to know

All costs for purchasing, installing, and maintaining the device are borne by residents. Owners of non-privatized apartments are reimbursed for installation costs by the local municipality.

When choosing a company to install a heating meter, you need to find out whether it has permits, approvals and certificates, as well as a certificate of state registration

Choosing an organization that will install the device requires special attention. It is advisable that the same company also handles maintenance of the meter, including timely cleaning of filters, carrying out routine repairs, and regularly checking the serviceability of the device.

External negative factors

It is also important to take into account that the correct operation of flow meters is influenced by many external factors.

Among them are reasons such as:

• Formation of mineral deposits in pipes, which reduces their internal diameter. This causes the flow to increase. Since measuring instruments are designed for a certain size of elements, reducing this indicator will lead to incorrect calculations, and the result obtained will exceed the actual value.
• Presence of impurities in water. Mechanical impurities and air bubbles cause a significant error in readings, reaching 10%. To purify liquids, it is recommended to additionally equip devices with filters that trap foreign particles.
• Precipitation on flow meter parts. When using mechanical structures, such a process reduces readings, while in other types of instruments it causes a significant (sometimes multiple) excess of actual values.
• Unfavorable microclimate of the room where the measuring device is installed. Dampness and temperature changes especially affect devices with electronic mechanisms.
• Lack of grounding and poor electrical circuits, which can result in electrical potential in the pipeline.
• Uneven pressure in the system negatively affects the accuracy of the measurements. The same can be said about carelessly installed meter, which can also distort the data.
• Coolant temperature. Hot liquid, the temperature of which exceeds the permissible limits, can damage the meter elements.

To avoid incorrect readings and prolong the life of the device, it is important to regularly carry out qualified maintenance and inspection of the device.

Ways to save money in general

There are several proven ways to reduce heating payments generated using public meters.

Insulating the facade of a house using mineral wool, polystyrene foam or other materials will reduce heat transfer to the environment, and therefore reduce heat consumption

The following joint activities will help reduce indicators:

• high-quality insulation of the building;
• full glazing of the entrance with the replacement of conventional frames with more durable and heat-insulating metal-plastic products.

Although such measures will require a one-time investment from residents, they are beneficial in the long term.

Settlement operations for a common house appliance

Not long ago in the Russian Federation, the Russian Government adopted Resolution No. 603 dated June 29, 2016, which details the updated rules for calculating heating using a common house meter.

According to this legislative act, the price of heat energy depends on the following factors:

• heat receipt from a heating plant or a small boiler house serving a house (group of buildings);
• presence/absence of a common house heat meter;
• whether apartments are equipped with individual flow meters or their absence.

According to clause 42.1 of the “Calculation Rules” No. 354, depending on the decision of the local municipality, payment for the heat provided can be charged only during the heating season or evenly distributed monthly throughout the year. The adopted legislative act considers several options.

Heating supply to a house with a control unit (without individual appliances)

If heat is supplied to a building equipped with building-wide flow meters, and the apartments do not have individual heat meters, then in the case of payment for heat during the heating season, the calculation is made using the formula:

P = V x (S/S_about) x T, Where

V is the total amount of heat supplied to the building based on the readings of the general building flow meter (in gigacalories);

• S – total area of ​​a separate apartment (in square meters);
• S_about – total living area of ​​apartments located in the building, m²;
• T – tariff for one gigacalorie provided (set by the local administration in agreement with the providers of this service), rub/Gcal.

If the payment for heat is calculated evenly throughout the year, a conversion factor K is added to the formula. It is calculated by dividing the number of months of the heating season (7-8) by 12 (the number of months in a year). If the heating period for houses lasts for seven months, then K=0.58.

Regardless of the calculation scheme, the total amount contributed during the year will be approximately the same.

If installation of the OPU is not possible

In this case, we consider the procedure for calculating payments for heat to residents of old houses, where, due to the technological features of the networks, the installation of communal metering devices is impossible. In this case, payments are calculated according to the heat energy consumption standard.

A common house meter by itself does not reduce heat energy consumption, but its use motivates residents to be conscious about this resource

When calculating payments only during the months of the heating season, the formula is used:

P = S x N x T, Where

• S – total housing area, m²;
• N – standard rate of heat consumption, measured in gigacalories per square meter;
• T – tariff established by the local administration for 1 Gcal, agreed with the service provider, rub./Gcal.

If the payment for heat energy is divided into all months of the year, then the conversion factor K = 0.58 should be added to the formula (as in the previous case, it is calculated by dividing 7 months of the heating season by 12 months). Thus, the formula will look like:

P = S x (N x K) x T

As in the previously noted case, the total amounts of annual payments will be the same.

Lack of control unit if it can be installed

If the house does not have a common house meter, but it is technically possible to install it, then the following formula is used to calculate fees during the heating season:

P = S×N×K_pov × T, Where

• S – area of ​​the required premises (in sq.m);
• N – heat consumption standard (Gcal/sq.m);
• K_pov – a multiplying factor, the value of which varies. In 2016, this figure was 1.4, and from January 1, 2017 it increased to 1.5;
• T – tariff for thermal energy established in a given region (RUB/Gcal).

In the case of monthly payment for heat throughout the year, the resulting number is multiplied by the already known coefficient K = 0.58 (for a seven-month heating season).

Heat calculation with control unit and individual meters

This option is often found in newly completed houses. In this case, the calculation is made using the formula:

P = (V_And + V_O x S/S_about ) x T, Where

V_And – the amount of heat energy consumed during the estimated period according to the readings of individual flow meters (Gcal);

V_O – the volume of heat in gigacalories supplied to the residents of the house according to the general meter, excluding the consumed amount, which is determined by the formula:

P_i = (V_iⁿ + V_i^odk × S_i/S_about) × T^T , Where

• Vⁿ – quantities of heat energy consumed during the design interval, determined from readings from common house devices during the heating season (Gcal);
• S_i – area of ​​living space equipped with an individual meter (sq.m);
• V^odk — the volume of electricity according to the readings of individual flow meters installed in apartments;
• S_about – total area of ​​residential and office premises in the house (square meters);
• T^T – the tariff for heat energy adopted in the given area.

In this case, payment is made exclusively during the heat supply season.

Benefits of using meters

House-wide flow meters can significantly save on heating costs. The price for heat, calculated according to actual indicators, is on average 30% lower than according to standards.

The high cost of a common house heat metering device is reimbursed within three years from the date of installation, since such a device allows reducing heat payments by almost a third

In addition, when paying at established tariffs, the beginning/end of the heating period is not taken into account: regardless of the specific date, the accrual is made for the whole month.

But a building-wide meter does not solve all problems with paying for heating, since in this case all apartment owners have to pay according to average data, regardless of the amount of heat consumed.

Although the cost of an individual heat control device is quite significant, it pays for itself quite quickly, especially if measures are taken to save heat energy

In this case, residents will be helped individual heat energy meter, which also allows you to regulate the heat transfer of radiators.

Calculation of heating standards

When developing heat consumption standards, the following are taken into account:

• The total heat energy consumption required to heat all rooms during the heating season.
• The total area of ​​heated spaces in the building, as well as buildings connected to the heating system.
• Duration of the heating season (partial calendar months in which measurements were taken are also taken into account).
• In addition, when carrying out calculations, the average daily temperatures of heated air indoors and cold air outside are necessarily taken into account (measurements are carried out during the heating season).

In the first case, the indicators specified in the regulatory documents for the provision of public services to the population are taken as a basis. In the second, the average statistical value for the five previous heating periods is taken into account (data provided by the regional hydrometeorological service).

An important parameter is also the average maximum temperature, which is calculated from measurements of the five frostiest winter days following each other.

Homeowners must treat the supplied equipment with care, since they pay not only for its installation, but also for maintenance and repair of the device

In a temperate climate zone, centralized heating services are usually provided for 7-8 months - from September-October to April-May; In the first and last months, you may be charged at a reduced consumption rate.

The process of approving standards and tariffs

All calculated indicators are compiled by specialists and employees of heat supply organizations.Then they are necessarily approved by energy commissions operating within a particular locality, region, or territory.

Representatives of local authorities and public organizations, as well as deputies of various levels are also invited to the meeting where planned prices for heat energy are considered.

Tariffs are calculated in accordance with the legislative acts of the Government of the Russian Federation, which establish consumption standards for housing and communal services, including the amount of heat energy. Heat supply organizations must document and justify the proposed prices for heating services.

Since the actual outside air temperature during the heating season may not coincide with the calculated standards, housing and communal services perform recalculation once a year.

In severe cold weather, consumers will have to pay an additional amount, while in mild winters, an overpayment is possible, which is counted toward future payments. The same procedure is carried out once a year in houses where flow meters are not provided.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The presented video presents a specialist’s opinion on the benefits provided by communal heat meters.

A common house meter is a useful device that can significantly reduce very high heating costs. Despite the high cost, the funds for its installation quickly pay for themselves, especially with the conscious interaction of residents who take joint measures to reduce heat consumption.

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