Ultrasonic Heat Meters: Operating Principle, Advantages, and Applications

Measuring heat consumption is important not only for the correct allocation of costs but also for identifying areas with potential savings. In some cases, the installation of heat meters is even mandated by law. Discover how ultrasonic heat meters work and what advantages they offer.

What Are Ultrasonic Heat Meters

Heat consumption meters for radiators are an integral part of heating systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings where there are multiple owners or tenants. Heat meters are divided into electronic and ultrasonic based on the measurement method. In the case of electronic heating meters, the measurement principle is relatively simple but also less accurate – the flow of water rotates a paddle wheel, and the meter records its rotation speed to measure the flow of the heat transfer medium.

For more accurate measurements and more demanding applications, we recommend ultrasonic heat meters, which are not only more accurate but also more durable.

How Ultrasonic Heat Measurement Works

Ultrasonic heat meters measure the transit time of ultrasonic waves through the heat transfer medium. Two ultrasonic transducers alternately send ultrasonic waves in the direction of and against the flow. These waves accelerate in the direction of flow and decelerate in the opposite direction.

The unit measures the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to travel the distance between the transducers and back. From the difference in times in opposite directions, it is possible to accurately determine the flow rate, and thus the heat consumption.

Advantages and Functions of Ultrasonic Heat Meters

Thanks to advanced technologies and additional functions, ultrasonic heat meters offer several advantages:

• Accuracy and reliability of measurement: Heat measurement using ultrasonic waves is extremely accurate and reliable throughout the life of the meters, regardless of the flow rate. Impurities in the heating water have no effect on the accuracy of the measurement, and the measured data cannot be tampered with. This makes these meters suitable for more demanding applications, such as in industry or central heating systems in apartment buildings.
• Minimal maintenance and long lifespan: Ultrasonic heat meters have no moving, mechanically stressed parts, so they do not wear out and have a much longer lifespan than electronic ones. Any maintenance is significantly facilitated by error reporting and self-diagnosis functions.
• Simple data collection: Ultrasonic meters display current data and can also recall data from past periods from memory. Some models, such as Siemens or Enbra heat meters, can be connected to a module for remote data reading. This means that the person taking the reading does not need to enter the units, making the reading more convenient, faster, and, most importantly, free from human error.

Enbra ultrasonic heat meter with remote reading. Source: Bola.cz

Applications of Ultrasonic Heat Meters

Ultrasonic heat meters are traditionally used mainly in industry, where there are high demands on the accuracy and reliability of measurements – especially in sectors where precise temperature control is crucial for technological processes. They are also used by heating companies, which can monitor and optimize heat distribution thanks to them.

Due to their advantages, ultrasonic heat consumption meters for radiators are increasingly preferred in apartment buildings as well.

Legislation and Obligations of Property Owners and Managers

The installation of heat meters is legally mandatory in all buildings with multiple units. This obligation is regulated by Act No. 318/2012 Coll. § 7 paragraph 4: The builder, building owner, or community of unit owners is further obliged to equip the internal heating systems of buildings with devices regulating and recording the supply of thermal energy to end users to the extent specified by the implementing legal regulation; the end user is obliged to allow the installation, maintenance, and inspection of these devices.

Each heat meter must also be verified (calibrated) by the Czech Metrology Institute or one of the authorized metrology centers. The seal replacement period is 5 years. Heating meters must not be tampered with unprofessionally. If the building owner or manager fails to meet these obligations, consumers may challenge the measured data.

Siemens heat meter for measuring heat consumption in district and local heating systems. Source: Bola.cz

Trends and Innovations in Heat Consumption Measurement

Developments in heating and heat consumption measurement are moving in two main directions – towards automation and sustainability. Modern construction aims to minimize the carbon footprint of buildings and improve their management efficiency, including heating.

In the future, it is expected that heating systems will increasingly become part of complex and sophisticated smart systems, both in households and in commercial, public, and industrial buildings. Consumption information will be collected by a central server without the need for manual reading, and data processing and cost allocation will be automated.

Advanced ultrasonic heat meters with remote reading provide building managers with valuable data on consumption at different points and time intervals. Thanks to smart software, this data can be used to optimize heating, reduce energy consumption, and thus contribute to more sustainable building operations.

Explore the range of heat meters