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Heat meters, also known as calorimeters, are an important basis for the fair allocation of heating costs. If they do not function correctly, billing discrepancies can amount to thousands of crowns. Tenants and owners may then challenge the billing. A spring inspection of heat meters should therefore be a standard routine for building managers and homeowners’ associations. Thanks to a timely inspection, you will have enough time to deal with any necessary maintenance and servicing.
Heat consumption is calculated from water flow rate and temperature difference, with the heat meter using both of these values simultaneously.
The flow rate indicates how much heating water passes through the system.
The temperature differential shows the difference in temperature between the flow and return water.
When inspecting a calorimeter, it is therefore necessary to focus on both the flow sensor and the temperature sensors. The factors that negatively affect the operation of heat meters can be divided into three categories:
Contamination and air in the heating system – poor-quality and contaminated heat transfer fluid causes deposits that affect flow measurement. Magnetite in particular clogs the turbines of heat meters and prevents accurate measurement. Air bubbles in the heating water also affect flow measurement.
Improper installation – during installation, it is necessary to observe the flow direction and the prescribed length of straight pipe upstream and downstream of the meter. Otherwise, the meter will detect the flow incorrectly. Flow measurement can also be distorted by vibrations (proximity of pumps, valves, etc.). For temperature sensing, it is important that there are no sources of heat or cold at the installation point and that the sensors are correctly positioned in the thermowell.
Wear and expiry of the verification period – over time, both the flow sensor and the temperature sensors lose measurement accuracy, so they must be metrologically verified or replaced within the statutory time limits. In the event of mechanical damage or wear, immediate replacement is required. Last but not least, battery life must also be monitored. Batteries may only be replaced if this does not interfere with the seal.
Compact ENBRA heat meter
Routine checks of calorimeters and the heating system should be carried out regularly by property managers in order to detect any potential problems. However, if you come across a fault, never interfere with the meters – only authorised technicians may handle heat meters.
Steps you can take as a manager:
Visual inspection of the meters – check that the meter is not mechanically damaged, that all connections are leak-tight and that the seals are intact.
Display check – check that the display is working and does not show any error messages.
Verification check – check the validity of the metrological verification.
Data check – in the case of remote reading, check that data transmission is working correctly. Monitor consumption and record any unusual deviations.
If you encounter any irregularity or the meter replacement date is approaching, contact a service company. Only they can carry out metrological verification and replacement, as well as the removal and installation of meters. An authorised technician can carry out a detailed diagnosis of the flow sensor and temperature sensors, electronics, firmware and communication module. After every intervention in the sealed parts of the meters, they will issue you with a service report.
An inspection after the heating season will save you a great deal of trouble. Do you need to upgrade or replace your heat meters? Our experts will be happy to help.
During calibration, deviations in heat consumption measurement are monitored and adjusted if necessary. The output is a calibration certificate. Calibration is carried out mainly for industrial meters; in the case of heat meters in residential or office buildings, only exceptionally. It is not mandatory and does not replace official verification.
Metrological verification officially confirms that the meter meets statutory requirements and permitted tolerances. Verification of heat meters is required by law, always every 5 years. Without valid verification, the meter should not be used for billing purposes. The output of verification is a seal or official mark.
Metrological verification may only be carried out by authorised metrology bodies. Calibration is performed by specialised service companies or calibration laboratories.
Heat measurement for cost allocation purposes is governed by several laws and standards that property managers must be familiar with. The most important include:
Act No. 406/2000 Coll. on energy management, which sets out the obligation to measure and allocate heat in flats.
Act No. 505/1990 Coll. on metrology, which regulates specified measuring instruments and the obligation of metrological verification for meters used for billing.
Act No. 67/2013 Coll. on services associated with the use of flats, which regulates the allocation of heating and hot water costs among service recipients.
Decree No. 194/2007 Coll., which sets out requirements for measuring and indicating equipment and the conditions for registering heat supply.
Decree No. 269/2015 Coll., which sets out the method for allocating heating costs.
Decree No. 345/2002 Coll., which specifies the meters subject to mandatory verification.
Decree No. 127/2024 Coll., which extended the validity period of verification for heat and cooling meters from 4 to 5 years. The period is always counted from 1 January of the year following verification.
The meters themselves must comply with ČSN EN 1434 and have verification from the Czech Metrology Institute (ČMI), or from one of the authorised metrology centres. They must also bear the CE marking (declaration of conformity) and MID marking (Measuring Instruments Directive – the European directive harmonising requirements for measuring instruments). From 2027, all heat meters used for cost allocation must allow remote reading.
If these conditions are not met, the cost allocation may be challenged by customers.
The allocation of heating costs in a homeowners’ association is governed by laws and decrees
An amendment to the Energy Management Act introduces a new obligation in the field of measurement and cost allocation from 1 January 2027, namely that all meters must enable remote reading of heat, at least on a monthly basis. This brings a number of advantages for both end consumers and managers.
Consumers will have information about consumption for each month and will therefore be able to respond to unusually high costs in good time, rather than only after the heating season, as has been the case until now. At the same time, they will not need to be present during meter reading.
Managers, in turn, will obtain more accurate data without the risk of errors during manual transcription and will save a great deal of time. Some heat meter models can be connected to a central server and fully automate both data collection and billing.
When selecting heat meters, it is necessary to take a number of factors into account, such as flow rate, temperature range, measurement technology, installation options, method of wireless data transmission and more.
For example, for apartment blocks and office buildings, the compact ENBRA MT SONTEX Supercal heat meter with built-in temperature sensor may be suitable. This meter supports both radio and M-Bus communication and can be used for measuring both heat and cooling.
For more demanding and industrial applications, we recommend the robust Siemens UH50-A45 ultrasonic heat meter with accuracy class 2, which, in addition to remote communication, features an air presence indicator.
All meters in our range meet the requirements of current legislation. Take advantage of our free expert advice and have a system designed to suit your needs.
Heat meters used for cost allocation are subject to mandatory metrological verification. The current verification period is 5 years. After it expires, the meter must be re-verified or replaced with a new one. Without valid verification, the meter should not be used for billing heat consumption.
The manager may only carry out routine visual checks, display checks or meter readings. Any intervention in the sealed parts of the meter may only be carried out by an authorised service or metrology company. Unqualified handling may affect both measurement accuracy and the validity of the verification. A service report should always be issued after any service intervention.
MID is the European directive for measuring instruments that sets out requirements for the accuracy and design of meters. The MID marking confirms that the meter meets European conditions for being placed on the market. However, it does not replace regular metrological verification. For lawful use in cost allocation, the meter must also have valid verification in accordance with Czech legislation.
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