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The heating season is slowly coming to an end, and the time has come to allocate heating costs. Many people are surprised by how much they pay for heating, or why the differences between individual units are so large. Learn to understand the figures on your heating bills – and save effectively.
Heating costs are divided into a fixed (typically 30–50%) and a consumption-based component (the remaining 50–70%). The ratio is set by the building owner or the owners’ association (SVJ). The fixed component is paid by everyone according to the flat’s floor area, as it includes the building’s heat losses, common areas and heat transfer between individual units. For this reason, you will never have a zero heating bill – even if you leave the radiators turned off all winter.
The consumption-based component reflects the actual heat consumption in the unit. It is based on data measured using heat meters or heat cost allocators. This data is then adjusted using coefficients, the type of emitters and the flat’s location.
In addition, by law, differences in heating costs per 1 m2 of chargeable floor area must not exceed a value 20% lower and a value 100% higher than the average for the given billing period. If the costs exceed these limits, the calculation must be adjusted.
Learn how to read heat consumption data correctly
Allocating heating costs is far from being only about who has their radiators on and when. What matters is the share of the total and the conversion methodology. That is why your statement will include items such as:
So if you want to verify whether your heating costs are correct, it is not enough to know your total consumption. You also need a list of radiators, information about the flat’s area, possibly a location coefficient and other parameters. The amount alone will not tell you whether you are heating too much or, conversely, too little. Instead, compare:
Consumption at a specific heat emitter can be measured using several technologies. Each has its advantages and disadvantages; however, the same measurement principle must always be used for the entire apartment building.
These devices installed on radiators measure the surface temperature of the emitter and time. The output is so-called “allocation units”, i.e. proportional values used for cost allocation within the building. Proportional heat measurement is used mainly in apartment buildings with central heating, where one heat source supplies multiple flats (e.g. an in-house boiler room or district heating).
Heat consumption is measured physically based on flow rate and temperature difference. It works on a mechanical principle, where heating water flows through an impeller and the meter senses its rotational speed. The output is an indication of thermal energy consumption in kWh or GJ.
Electronic heat meters are more accurate than heat cost allocators, but also more sensitive to operating conditions. They are commonly used in undemanding applications such as apartment buildings.
Siemens electronic heat meter
The most advanced and most accurate technology is offered by ultrasonic heat meters. These measure flow using ultrasonic waves, whose speed changes with and against the direction of flow. Based on the flow rate and the temperature difference between the flow and return, the meter then calculates heat consumption.
Ultrasonic heat meters are used mainly in more demanding applications, central heating systems in residential buildings, administrative buildings and industrial complexes.
From 1 January 2027, under Act No. 406/2000 Coll. on energy management, all heat meters or heat cost allocators must enable remote reading, at least on a monthly basis. Each end user will therefore have information on heat consumption for each calendar month.
Remote heat readings minimise the risk of errors when transcribing data, and owners do not need to be present in the unit during the reading. How can you use reading data to save money?
Heat energy consumption and heating costs are influenced by a number of factors. You can influence many of them, but not all. How can you save on heating in a flat?
Among the most important factors you cannot influence are the location of your flat, heat transfer and heat losses. In particular, rooms along north- and east-facing external walls or on the ground floor have high losses and are naturally cooler. To reach a comfortable temperature, you have to heat more.
By contrast, south-west-facing flats and central rooms tend to be warmer. The temperature in individual rooms is also significantly affected by the position of risers, shared pipework and, last but not least, heat transfer between flats – if the flat below you is heated heavily, it will partly raise the temperature in your home too.
Different heat emitters have different outputs, depending on their design characteristics, such as size (i.e. heat exchange surface area) or material – steel, aluminium and cast iron differ in thermal conductivity and thermal inertia.
Radiator maintenance is also important, especially hydraulic balancing of the heating system, venting, and cleaning both the heating water and the surface of the emitters. Radiators must not be covered by furniture or heavy curtains, otherwise the heat will not reach the room and bills will rise unnecessarily. Check the heating system regularly and coordinate maintenance with the building manager.
Heat consumption is influenced by the flat’s location and your daily habits
If you are troubled by high heating bills, focus on your habits. If you spend most of the day at home, it is clear that your consumption will be higher – but you can consider whether a lower temperature would be sufficient.
Thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) head settings should be stable. Do not overheat, but also do not change the temperature frequently and abruptly, for example when leaving home or during a sudden warm spell. The head automatically maintains the set temperature, and you do not need to change the setting when the weather changes.
Also learn to ventilate properly. In winter, open the windows fully for a few minutes several times a day. During ventilation, close the thermostatic heads.
Whether you manage an apartment building, own a unit or rent a flat, in spring you may be dealing with uncertainties about energy cost allocation. Which issues recur regularly?
This is a completely common situation and does not mean that the heat settlement is incorrect or unfair. Part of the costs is fixed, and the consumption-based component includes a number of coefficients and adjustments according to floor area, flat location and other parameters. These adjustments are precisely what ensure the settlement is genuinely fair. Their purpose is to compensate for climatic and physical factors.
Sometimes meters really may not work properly. If you notice sudden jumps, error messages, a damaged seal or a problem with remote communication, contact the building manager or the heat metering supplier. The issue may also be unsuitable placement or incorrect installation of heat meters.
First, familiarise yourself with the allocation rules in your building. Compare the figures on the allocation statement with reality – for this purpose, we recommend taking photos of the display on the reading date. If something does not match, contact the SVJ manager.
As you can see, the vast majority of complaints and uncertainties about the annual heating settlement are unfounded. Nevertheless, it can happen that the allocation is incorrect. When is it appropriate to raise a dispute?
Keep your costs under control and address deviations in good time. We will be happy to help you with a proposal for heat consumption measurement for your apartment building, including remote readings.
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