Heating meters - profitable savings for every family. Installation of an individual heat meter
Utilities services are becoming more and more expensive, so there is a need to keep track of the consumed benefits of civilization. You won't surprise anyone with water meters for a long time. They are already in many apartments and can really save money on utility bills.
What is a heating meter for?
Heat meters are starting to gain popularity. When installing such a device in an apartment, it becomes possible to control how much the housing really heats up. Using data like this, costs can be reduced and pay only for the heat received in fact, and not for the standard consumption rates.
Naturally, many are worried about how quickly heat meters for heating will pay off. Practice shows that the installation costs are not so great, but the savings will be visible quickly enough. The tenant will not need to compensate for the flaws in the work of the housing office and the heat losses of the heating system from their own pockets.
The heating meter can be installed both individually for your home and for the whole house. Today on the market you can find a large number of models that differ from each other in price and principle of operation.
Types of heat meters for heating
The device measures the consumption of heat and registers the temperature, analyzes the data obtained and, as a result, gives an indication of how many gigacalories were spent on square meter... For them, tenants and pay utilities. The process of taking readings is similar to paying for electricity.
There is four types of counters heat for the apartment:
- Mechanical;
- Ultrasonic;
- Vortex;
- Electromagnetic.
Mechanical heat meters
Mechanical meters are the most technically simple and affordable for ordinary people... A special device rotates inside the device when a coolant flows through it and gives readings on a digital display. Counters of this type are turbine, screw and vane. Such a heat meter is inexpensive, which is its advantage, but it does not work for long, only a few years, and needs frequent replacement.
Its durability is influenced by factors such as rust, water hardness, scale... The device can become clogged and malfunction. The consumer will have to buy a new one and deal with all the accompanying design issues.
Ultrasonic meters
Ultrasonic readers are much more efficient and measure the amount of heat generated with great accuracy. Accordingly, its price is much higher. The service life is practically unlimited, but there are requirements for the quality of the coolant. When installing it, a filter is required, since it only needs pure water... If all conditions are not met, the readings may be distorted.
Such a meter is usually installed in apartments.
Devices are Doppler, time, frequency, correlation. The device records the time during which the coolant passes the path from the boiler room to the radiator in the apartment.
Vortex heat meters
Vortex devices estimate the amount of heating consumed using obstacles created by the movement of water or steam, that is, vortices. It can be installed on both vertical and horizontal distribution of the heating system.
The main advantage of such a heat meter is that it functions perfectly despite possible deposits in the pipes. At the same time, it reacts poorly to excess impurities in the water, the ingress of air bubbles into the coolant and welding. During installation, the dimensions of the pipelines in which the device is installed are also important. This factor should be taken into account when purchasing a device.
Electromagnetic meters
Electromagnetic heat meters for heating readings using current. It appears when hot water flows through the pipelines. The meters are safe to use. Incorrect installation, poor water quality negatively affects the operation of the device.
Today, such heat meters have become an excellent replacement for mechanical devices, due to their accuracy, affordable price and resistance to possible drawbacks of the heating system. Both of these types of devices are usually used when installing general house heat meters, but electromagnetic models are in great demand and are replacing their mechanical counterparts.
Selection of general and individual meters
The most profitable option for metering heat input will be the installation of a general house meter. In this case, the tenants of the house make a decision on its purchase and installation. The device will be connected to common pipe which provides heating to the entire building. Although the cost of a heating meter for general household use is quite high, issue price for residents of apartments, in the end, it will not be so significant. The readings obtained are divided by the number of tenants, and the payment will be made by a specially selected person at the meeting.
If there is no agreement among the tenants, then it makes sense to install a heat meter for heating in the apartment. It will help save money when paying for utility bills. The price of such a device is lower than that of a meter for general household needs. The purchase, installation and maintenance falls entirely on the shoulders of the homeowner. But the advantages of heat metering will be visible immediately. The purchase will pay off and bring profit in the future.
Installation of heat meters for heating for the whole house and in the apartment also differ from each other.
First of all, it should be said that although the installation can be done on their own, it is better to do all the work with the involvement of professionals. Myself the algorithm looks like this:
- Drawing up an installation plan and agreeing it with utilities;
- Implementation of all works;
- Registration of the device in public utilities and putting it into operation.
All counters have documents that indicate when it is necessary to check the device. In most cases, this happens every four years. When the time is right, you should contact a specialized company that will test the heat meter. These can be commercial organizations, Rostest, manufacturing companies... The latter often check themselves with the help of their employees.
In the event that all residents of the house decided to keep a record of heat, then they make a purchase and hire specialists to install a meter for heating. In advance, at a general meeting, all issues related to the price must be resolved.
In the case of installing a heat meter for an apartment, the customer himself carries out the procedures for registration and registration of the device. This method is also good because it can become insurance in case of malfunctions in the operation of the general house heat meter.
During installation, the wiring system in the apartments matters. This can affect how the heat meter will be installed in the apartment, what the price will be. In old buildings, common vertical layout, that is, there are several risers in the apartment. It is economically unprofitable to install a heat meter in each of them. Here you can install distributors that record the temperature on the radiator and in the room, analyzing the heating efficiency.
Fortunately, the new apartments are equipped with a horizontal piping system, so it is sufficient to install one heat meter. It is best to put it in the pipe itself, through which the coolant flows.
Who should I contact for installing a heat meter?
It is necessary to choose a company carefully. It is very important to collect information on the availability of qualified personnel and professional equipment. The company must have all certificates and permits. Serious organization provides guarantee for the work performed... There must be information about the company in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities. Service maintenance of heat meters will be an additional plus. You should ask whether the company provides installments and benefits to its customers.
Money question
Meter cost may vary from several thousand to several tens of thousands rubles. Most expensive models are the most reliable and accurate. Budget options will have to change, and the savings may not be as significant.
Payment for the meters is as follows: every month, when the heating system is operating, you should take readings, write them down, subtract the results of previous measurements from them. The calculated difference is multiplied by the tariff rates and the amount to be paid is obtained.
The use of a heat meter will allow ordinary citizens to reduce the cost of housing and communal services. Utilities will become more responsible for their responsibilities, monitor the operation of the heating system, without shifting this burden onto the shoulders of tenants.
V unheated premises it is impossible to live in winter and no one argues with that. Hot radiators during the colder months are a communal boon in modern life. However, the bills regularly charged by the heating specialists of the UK are often overstated, isn't it?
Have you decided to figure out how to put heating meters in an apartment in order to get a real chance not to pay too much, but don't know where to start?
We will help you study this issue in detail - the article contains the procedure for installing the meter and the owner's interaction with the heat supply organization. The main types of counters and their features are also considered.
The article has been supplemented thematic photos and useful video tips from owners who, through the courts, proved their right to pay only for actually consumed heat.
Heating a house is expensive. But private homeowners at least have a choice of boiler equipment and fuel. Residents of high-rise buildings have no choice - central heating at tariffs set by the management company.
However, there is a tool to reduce the cost of heating an apartment - an individual heat meter.
Image gallery
When there is no high-quality heating, it happens that faults in the house heating system are forced to look alternative sources heat.
Or the reason for the cold room radiators is the intention of the ZhEK management to save on general house heating costs.
Then the plumber screws on the shut-off valve, reducing the flow hot water in the heating network of high-rise buildings. Residents are freezing and warming up, increasing their electricity bills. But the cost of heating does not decrease from this.
Do you also have to freeze in your apartment? We invite you to look at the information discussed in our other article.
When there is too much heat, the overheated air in the rooms is unpleasant, you have to open the window to lower the overall temperature level. But for outwardly simple methods costs money spent on "heating the street".
They can be saved by installing a heat meter - on the heating circuit of the apartment.
You may also be interested in information about comfortable temperature standards in living quarters, which you can read about.
In winter, airing an overheated room is the only thing that comes to mind to reduce uncomfortable indoor temperatures.
There are also hidden components of heating payments. This is when the heat carrier from the boiler room enters the main networks with the same heating temperature, but at the input of the heating pipes to the houses, its temperature is different, lower.
The delivery of the coolant through the pipes is accompanied by heat losses due to poor insulation, this is understandable. But these heat losses are paid by the end consumer - the owners of apartments in high-rise buildings that are not equipped with heat meters.
Monthly payments for someone else's living space
Each apartment building must be equipped with a heat meter - Article 13 Clause 5 of Federal Law No. 261-FZ of 23.11.2009.
The management company fulfills this condition and, at the end of each month, removes the heat consumption for the high-rise building under its jurisdiction.
The amount for heat energy is simply divided between apartments according to their living space. Although this approach cannot be fair.
It takes good money to pay for heating bills. And half of them is wasted
The housing data available in the UK is based on the technical data sheet for each apartment. However, such data sheets often do not take into account data on apartment redevelopments that increase the heating area.
There is no information in it about the increase in the connection points of heating radiators.
Meanwhile, apartments with redevelopment and with an expanded number heating appliances consume more heat than others.
And since the general consumption of heat energy is divided according to the passport living space, the tenants of the "ordinary" apartments pay for the heat consumed by the tenants of the "improved" apartments.
Individual heat meter on the horizontal heating circuit of the apartment
A simple way out of the situation with paying for someone else's heat is individual meters on the heating circuits of apartments.
The savings in heat energy costs, the consumption of which is determined by the heat meter, will amount to over 30% of the previous heating payments tied to the size of the living space (normative).
Types of wiring for an apartment heating system
Apartments in high-rise buildings are equipped with either vertical or horizontal distribution of the heating system. In apartment buildings built before the beginning of the 21st century, heating systems were installed vertically.
Option # 1 - vertical layout
The vertical circuit of the heat system is performed in a single pipe, less often in a double pipe. But always with a sequential run of the coolants along the interfloor levels - from bottom to top, then from top to bottom.
Especially vertical distribution of heating is common in Khrushchev houses.
The one-pipe heating system contour covers several floors and apartments. Therefore, you cannot put a mortise heat meter on it.
Heating with vertical wiring has serious disadvantages:
- Uneven heat distribution... The coolant is pumped along a vertically oriented interfloor contour, which does not ensure uniform heating of the premises on different levels... Those. in apartments on the lower floors it will be noticeably warmer than in rooms located closer to the roof of a high-rise building;
- Difficult adjustment of the degree of heating heating batteries... The need to equip each battery with a bypass;
- Heating system balancing problems... Balance single-circuit heating vertical wiring is achieved by adjusting shut-off valves and thermostats. But at the slightest change in pressure or temperature in the system, you have to re-adjust;
- Difficulties with individual metering of heat consumption... Stoyakov in vertical system There is more than one room heating in an apartment, so ordinary heat meters cannot be used. You will need several of them - for each radiator, which is expensive. Although for heating vertical wiring, another heat metering tool is available - a heat distributor.
The construction of a diagram of a vertically oriented heating pipeline was cheaper than horizontal wiring - fewer pipes were required.
Such an economy in the era of mass standard development of urban areas in Russia in the 20th century was considered fully justified.
Option # 2 - horizontal layout in a high-rise building
With a horizontal wiring of the heating system, there is also a vertical supply riser that distributes the coolant to the floors.
The pipe of the second riser, which serves as a return line, is located in a vertical technical shaft next to the supply riser.
From both distribution risers, horizontal pipes of two circuits are output to the apartments - supply and return. The return line collects cooled water, transporting it to a heating station or heating boiler.
In a horizontal heating circuit, everything is simple - the coolant enters the apartment through one pipe, and exits through the other.
The advantages of horizontal heating pipes include:
- the ability to adjust the temperature in each apartment, as well as in the entire line (installation of mixing units is required);
- repair or maintenance on a separate circuit heating without a complete shutdown of the heating system. Shut-off valves allow you to close the contour of the apartment at any time;
- quick start of heating on all floors... In comparison, even in a well balanced one-pipe system vertical wiring delivery of the coolant to all radiators will take at least 30-50 seconds;
- installation of one heat meter per apartment circuit... With horizontal heating distribution, equipping it with a heat meter is a simple task.
The disadvantage of a horizontal heating circuit is its increased cost. The need to install a return pipe parallel to the supply pipe increases the price of apartment heating by 15-20%.
Features of the main types of counters
The group of individual heat energy metering devices is designed to work in heating networks with a 15-20 mm diameter of the pipe channel and the volume of the coolant in the range of 0.6-2.5 cubic meters per hour.
Heat meters and heat distributors perform calculations of the consumed heat energy independently, with data output to an electronic display.
Horizontal wiring of heating pipes allows you to install a heat meter discreetly, in a communication niche or shaft
The computing module of the device determines the amount of heat consumption for a given period of time (hour, day or month), storing and accumulating this information in the device's memory for 12-36 months.
The most convenient installation of a non-volatile meter for heating (i.e. with additional source power supply - battery).
Depending on the model of the heat meter, the values of its measurements are displayed as kilowatts per hour, megawatts per hour, gigajoules or giga calories. Heat readings in Gcal are required for management and other utility companies.
To convert to gigacalories, the appropriate conversion formula must be applied. For example, for kilowatts per hour, multiply the value by a factor of 0.0008598.
Each meter is a complex of several instruments. It may include temperature sensors, calculators of the volume of consumed thermal energy, as well as converters of pressure, flow and resistance of the heat carrier.
The exact set of the heat meter is set by the manufacturer for a specific model.
It is convenient to install a heat meter at the final stage of installing an apartment heating system
Depending on the principle of accounting for the consumed thermal energy, heat meters are equipped with an ultrasonic or mechanical (tachometric) flow meter.
Models of devices with other types of flow meters (for example, vortex or electromagnetic) are also available, but they are not widely used. Heat meters are designed to collect information on heat consumption exclusively on the horizontal distribution of the heating circuit.
A separate group of heat meters - calculators and heat distributors that do not require a tie-in into the heating circuit. These devices are used to calculate the heat costs of heating radiators for any heating circuit schemes.
Type # 1 - mechanical version of the flow meter
The simplest type of construction, therefore the cheapest (about 9000-10000 rubles) is a device with two wired temperature sensors, a water meter and an electronic calculator unit.
The main working element of the meter is a part (impeller, turbine or propeller) that rotates when the coolant passes through the device. The number of rotations determines the volume of the coolant that has passed through the meter.
The procedure for installing a heat meter is outwardly simple, however, the efficiency of the device depends on its quality.
Contact thermometers are built into the supply and return pipes of the apartment heating circuit. The first thermometer is placed in the meter, in a special socket.
The second one is installed on the return pipeline, in a ball valve of a special design (with a socket) or in a tee equipped with a thermometer sleeve.
Advantages of mechanical heat meters:
- the cost is about 8000 rubles;
- the design is simple and reliable;
- no external power supply required;
It is attracted by the fairly correct stability of indicators and the admissibility of installation in a horizontal or vertical position.
Cons of mechanical heat meters:
- guaranteed work period no more than 4-5 years- verification is required every 4 years;
- high wear of rotating parts- however, all mechanical meters are repaired for little money;
- pressure rise- the rotating element increases the pressure in the heating circuit;
- susceptibility to water hammer;
- high need for matching the actual flow rate of the heating agent in the heating system at the nominal flow rate set by the manufacturer.
Mandatory integration into the circuit of a magnetic mesh filter rough cleaning in front of a mechanical heat meter. The device is extremely sensitive to the content of mechanical suspensions in the volume of the coolant!
Type # 2 - ultrasonic heat meter
The flow rate of the coolant is determined by these devices using an ultrasonic signal emitted by the emitter and received by the receiver.
Both elements of the ultrasonic heat meter are mounted on a horizontal heating pipe, a certain distance is set between them.
The signal from the emitter follows the flow of the coolant and reaches the receiver after a period of time that depends on the speed of movement of the coolant in the heating circuit. Based on the time data, the value of the heat carrier flow is established.
It has no rotating elements. Therefore, the service life of such a heat meter is longer, and the heat data is accurate.
More than 10 versions of ultrasonic flow meters are produced - frequency, Doppler, correlation, etc. In addition to performing basic tasks, an ultrasonic heat meter can have the function of regulating the flow of the coolant.
Advantages of ultrasonic heat meters for apartments:
- low price in the basic configuration - from 8,000 rubles. (domestic models);
- heat consumption data is called up on the LCD display by pressing one button, which is convenient;
- the operation of the device does not cause an increase in hydraulic pressure in the heating system;
The strong advantages include a long service life - more than 10 years (verification is required every 4 years) and power supply from the built-in battery.
The main disadvantage of ultrasonic heat meters is sensitivity to the composition of the coolant. If it contains air bubbles and dirt particles (scale, scale, etc.), the readings of the device will be incorrect, and in the direction of increasing heat consumption.
For ultrasonic flow meters, there is one installation rule - the section of the pipeline in front of the device and after it must be straight (the required total length of a straight section is more than a meter). Then the meter will provide correct data on heat consumption.
Type # 3 - calculator and heat distributor
These devices measure the relative consumption of thermal energy. They are designed with a thermal adapter and two temperature sensors.
Every three minutes, the sensors measure temperatures on the surface of the heating radiator and in the room atmosphere, determining the difference. The collected information on heat consumption is summarized and displayed on the screen of the device.
Such a heat meter does not need to be hidden - it looks perfect in a modern room interior
Heat calculators are programmed to operate on a specific type of heating radiator at the time of installation on it.
You may also be interested in information about the types of heating radiators and their characteristics, considered.
All the necessary coefficients and power indicators of the radiator are entered into the memory of the meter, which allows it to display data on the heat consumption in kilowatt-hours on the screen.
The numbers indicated by the heat distributors are displayed in conventional units. To convert them into kilowatt-hours, the value of the readings should be multiplied by the rated power of the heating radiator and the coefficient corresponding to the type of heating battery.
The numbers of the coefficient are provided by the meter manufacturer based on the results of laboratory tests.
The heat spreader is similar to a heat calculator. They are distinguished by the inability of the distributor to calculate heat as kilowatts per hour. In general, a heat distributor is simpler than a calculator
Calculators and heat distributors are placed to measure heat energy on one heating radiator. Those. in an apartment where heating is recorded by such devices, there should be as many meters as there are heating radiators.
Both types of meters are effective regardless of the apartment heating scheme and the operating characteristics of the coolant used in the heating circuit.
Advantages of heat distributors and calculators:
- the cost is about 2000-2500 rubles. - i.e. their installation is beneficial in small apartments equipped with five heating radiators or less (but more than 2);
- long service life without verification - 10 years;
- easy and quick installation on or near the radiator casing;
- data transmission from several heat meters via a radio channel to a single controller, which sums them up (the presence of a radio module depends on the device model);
A convincing argument in favor of installing such devices is the complete independence of the measurement results from the quality of the coolant.
Disadvantages of apartment computers and heat distributors:
- relative measurement error is up to 7-12% (the greatest error is characteristic of heat distributors), which is higher than that of "cut-in" heat meters;
- the energy consumption data is correct if it is calculated from the results of measurements of several devices within the boundaries of the apartment. One calculator is not able to correctly determine the heat consumption by the atmosphere from one radiator. Aggregated data for several instruments is required;
- effective work only on factory models of heating radiators. Those. any modifications to the factory complete set of the radiator when measuring heat with such heat meters are unacceptable.
The mounting kit for installing a calculator or heat distributor is selected according to the type of radiator on the housing of which the meter will be installed.
Handicraft meter installation will degrade the quality of data collection. If specialized mounting kit no, it is more rational to fix the device next to the battery it serves.
The procedure for the legal installation of a heat meter
The sequence of actions aimed at installing an individual metering device for heat energy in an apartment consists of several stages.
Let's consider them in more detail:
- Written appeal to the home management organization for permission to install a heat meter. The letter must be accompanied by copies of documents on ownership of the living space, technical passport of the apartment.
- Obtaining technical specifications for the installation of a heat meter at a heat energy supplier (as a rule, at management company).
- Project preparation individual heat metering and installation technical documentation. Performed by an organization that has the legal authority to provide design services.
- Coordination of project documentation with a heat supply company.
It is not necessary to purchase a heat meter before receiving an approved heat energy project, because refusal is possible for various reasons.
Having all the project documentation, it remains to choose a heat meter - ultrasonic, mechanical or external installation, for example, a heat calculator.
A device that is obliged to save up to 50% of heating costs - it should be installed by professionals. And with a guarantee
For the purchased model, you must obtain from the seller receipts (commodity and cash), instructions, warranty card and a copy of the current quality certificate.
The company installing the heat meter must be licensed for this type of work.
Before choosing a contractor, it is necessary to assess the data on the candidates (Unified State Register of Legal Entities, certificates, SRO approvals), the professionalism of the installers (special equipment, a list of installation works, the availability of an installation kit), guarantees of the work performed.
The quality of the thermostat installed on the heating radiator is important. It is he who will allow you to control the heating of the battery, and therefore the cost of heat.
Please note that in addition to the heat meter, you will need additional devices and accessories: pipe filters, tees, etc.
Sealing the heat meter or heat distributor after installation work is mandatory.
Seals are put by representatives of the heat supply company.
When is installation impossible or unprofitable?
The installation of an individual heat meter will be refused by the management company if multi-storey building no . To calculate the coefficient for ONE, you need to know the heat consumption of the whole house.
Payments for the heat meter in the following situations will be higher than without it:
- input of the heating main into multi-storey building made according to the outdated scheme - through an elevator;
- the apartment is located at the end of the house, on the last or first floor;
- there are cracks in the window frames, in the front door frame;
- the loggia (balcony) is not glazed - in such a situation it can help;
- a ventilated entrance room (broken windows, a slightly opened driveway), etc.
Note that to minimize heat energy costs, it is not enough to install a common house and apartment meter. It is necessary to modernize the heating system of the building - to replace the elevator unit with AITP or AUU.
The ITP complex allows you to fine-tune the heating of the entire high-rise building. This means that payments for heating will decrease.
Only in such an energy system, high-rise buildings will be able to achieve comfort in apartments with minimal payments for heating.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Installation of a heat meter is a requirement of the legislation of the Russian Federation. But this rule does not apply to apartments in high-rise buildings.
The reasons why there may be problems with individual heat meters are discussed in this video:
The resident of St. Petersburg installed heat calculators on the radiators in his apartment in 2013 and was convinced of a 30% overpayment for heating.
But ZhSK-3 is in no hurry to compensate for its expenses. Watching the video:
Legislation requires equipping the heating network in a high-rise building with a house meter, but only a general one (for the whole house).
And managers of apartment buildings individual meters are beneficial in the only case - if the house is new or reconstructed (thermally insulated) according to modern standards.
Have you installed a heating meter for yourself or do you have valuable information on this issue that may be useful to our other readers?
Perhaps your experience will help solve a difficult situation or inspire you to actively fight with the heat supply company. Share your story or ask questions about this topic - leave your comments under this article.
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At one time, tariffs for utilities were low and none of the consumers thought about installing meters for water and heat. Now the prices have increased so much that a significant part is spent on their payment. family budget... Especially large amount in the receipt is the heating fee. Therefore, real estate owners, trying to save money, decide to install heat, gas and water meters. The fact is that payment for the services supplied is charged by utilities in accordance with the approved standards, and not upon consumption.
Why do you need a heat meter?
Of course, it is profitable to install a heat consumption meter, since the monthly amount for heating will be calculated according to the current tariffs and based on the readings taken from an individual meter. Thus, the consumer who installed the heat meter pays only for the services received, without the additions of utilities supplying heat (read also: ""). In addition, the owners have the opportunity to regulate the heating temperature of rooms or utility rooms in manual mode or automatically (subject to installation electronic system control).Consumers should be aware that the heat meter does not save it, it allows you to pay for the energy actually consumed, and not according to approximate calculations obtained as a result of the theoretical development of state standards. Individual heat meters, such as in the photo, allow you to save a significant amount of money on payment for heat supply services, it can be up to 60%.
Types of modern heat meters
Commercially available heat meters for heating in an apartment are not one device, but a set of devices.The set may include:
- sensors;
- calculators of the amount of consumed thermal energy;
- flow, pressure and resistance transmitters.
- brownies (industrial);
- apartment (individual).
The heating medium is usually water heated to the required temperature.
- heat calculator;
- hot water consumption meter.
Household (industrial) heat meters
Household or industrial heat meters for heating are used for installation at production facilities and in apartment buildings. To account for heat, one of three methods is used: electromagnetic, turbine or vortex. The main difference between industrial appliances and home appliances is their size. The diameter of house counters ranges from 25 to 300 millimeters. The measuring range of the amount of heat carrier is about 0.6-2.5 m³ / h.Mechanical heat meters
Mechanical (or tachometric) heat energy meters shown in the photo are simple units. Usually they have a heat meter and a rotary water meter in the set. The principle of how a heating meter of this type works is as follows: for the convenience and accuracy of measurement, the translational movement of the heat transfer fluid turns into rotational.
A mechanical (tachometric) meter is a very economical purchase, but the cost of filters should be added to its price. As a result, the kit will cost the consumer about 15% cheaper compared to other types of heat meters, but provided that the diameter of the pipeline does not exceed 32 millimeters.
Mechanical devices have a significant drawback - they cannot be used when the coolant (water) has a high degree of hardness and, if it contains particles of rust, scale or scale, since they clog filters and flow meters.
Ultrasonic heat meters
Manufacturers offer consumers big choice models of ultrasonic heat meters. True, the principle of operation for all of them is practically the same: two devices are installed on the pipe against each other - a transmitter and a device that receives ultrasonic signals. The emitter sends a special signal through the flow of the coolant and after a while it is received by the receiver. The time interval between emission and reception of a signal depends on the speed of movement of water through the pipeline. When the time is known, the flow rate is calculated.
The ultrasonic heat meter, in addition to its basic functions, can regulate the supply of heat energy. These heat energy meters are more accurate, they are more reliable and durable than tachometric devices.
Installation of heat energy meters
According to experts, the best solution the question of where it is better to put the meter is the installation of a general house heat meter. Then all consumers living in the house will not have to pay for heat energy, which was not actually supplied to the building. But the cost is rather big. True, if you divide it by the number of apartments, then it will be quite affordable.To install a general house heat energy meter, you will need, first of all, to hold a general meeting of residents, draw up documents decision(draw up and sign a protocol) and submit an application to the management company with a request to connect the unit. After the heat meter is installed, a person from among the consumers will be required who is responsible for timely taking readings from the device and issuing receipts for each apartment.
If not all tenants of the house or entrance agree to install a heat meter, then the apartment owner should think about how to significantly reduce the financial costs for individual heating of his own home.
Installation of an individual heat meter
Before installing a heating meter in a separate apartment of a multi-storey building, you will need to perform a number of activities and actions, otherwise connecting the device will not be advisable and legal.Step one ... It is necessary to eliminate the existing sources of heat loss, among which the cracks in the windows are insufficiently insulated entrance doors freezing corners. Only after that the installation of the heat meter will turn around substantial savings Money.
Step two ... The management company (ZhEK, HOA) must provide the owner of the apartment technical conditions(TU) - they attribute the requirements that must be met in order to connect. Typically, the text of the conditions occupies an A4 sheet. It certainly indicates information about the temperature and pressure of the coolant entering the pipeline of a particular house.
Step three ... Knowing these parameters, you can start buying a heat meter necessarily in a company operating legally. When purchasing a device, you must require a sales receipt and a cashier's receipt, a certificate confirming the quality, rules and instructions for use.
Step five ... The installation of a measuring thermal device is carried out by employees of a licensed organization specializing in this type of service.
When choosing a company, it is advisable to pay attention to a number of nuances:
- for the availability of information about the organization in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities;
- for the presence of a package of necessary documentation, including certificates, certificates, SRO approvals;
- for the availability of qualified specialists;
- for availability special equipment;
- to perform a complete list of installation works;
- for the availability of a free visit of a specialist to the client's apartment in order to inspect communications;
- for the availability of warranty obligations for the work carried out.
To make life easier for himself, the owner of the apartment has the right to order all of the above works in one place - in a company that deals with this type of service at a professional level, however, for this you will have to pay a considerable amount. If there is a desire and free time, you can prepare the installation documents yourself.
Checking heat meters
Usually, new devices are sold with an initial check that is carried out at the factory that makes them. The proof that the heat meters have been verified is the presence of a special sticker corresponding to the entry, a special stamp, both on the devices and in the documents attached to them.During operation, the heating meters are calibrated at the expense of apartment owners once every 4 years; to carry out it, you need to contact a number of organizations and institutions:
- to the Rostest branch;
- to a company that has the appropriate authority to carry out the audit;
- to the service center of the manufacturing company.
They independently take readings from the meter for heating in the same way as from the electric meter. In the receipt for payment, the difference in readings is indicated, multiplied by the established tariff and payment is made, for example, in one of the branches of Sberbank. The recipient of the payment is the heat supply organization.
Heat meters - installation advantages, detailed video:
Restrictions on installing a heat meter in an apartment
Many consumers are interested in whether the heating meters are installed individually in each apartment? The fact is that in most domestic apartment buildings when creating a heating system, vertical riser wiring is used, which prevents the installation of one apartment meter.In such a situation, there is only one solution - to put meters on heating batteries, but such a solution is difficult to implement for the following reasons:
- the installation of several heating devices in one apartment will cost its owners a tidy sum, since each meter for a heating battery costs a lot of money;
- taking readings from each device is hampered by the fact that utility workers are not able to monthly walk all the rooms around the apartments of the house in order to record the data. When doing this work yourself, you can get confused in numbers and make mistakes in calculations;
- maintenance problems - several instruments are much more difficult to monitor and verify that they are functioning correctly;
- the counter for the heating radiator has poor accuracy, since the difference at its inlet and outlet is so small that the device is often unable to fix it.
In buildings erected after 2000, a horizontal wiring of the heating system is used, therefore, in such apartments it is enough to mount one meter for the consumption of heat energy, and distributors are not required.
As a result of the above measures, monthly payments for services provided by utilities can be significantly reduced by installing heat meters.
In Russia, a law “On energy saving” has been adopted. The document obliges all owners to install metering devices in their homes. Monitoring the consumption of water, gas and electricity has long become a habit of most apartment owners. Many people mistakenly considered heat to be an unaccountable factor, so heating meters became a real novelty for them. How to correctly install a device that has become mandatory for all? Let's figure it out.
Installation options for metering devices
The benefits of installing metering devices are obvious. The homeowner will pay only for the heat received, without having to shell out for losses during its transportation. To maximize the savings, all sources of possible heat loss in the house should be removed: install sealed window frames, insulate the room, etc. There can be two options for installing the counter.
Method # 1 - general house counter
Residents of high-rise buildings can solve the problem of heat metering by installing a common house metering device. These, by the way, are the most inexpensive option... After all, the price of a heat meter, which is not cheap, and its installation will be "scattered" on the owners of several apartments. The amount obtained as a result will be quite acceptable. The readings of such a device are taken once a month. Payments are allocated to each apartment according to its area. Moreover, if the service provider fulfills its part of the contract in bad faith and does not provide the agreed temperature in the house, he will be obliged to return the money paid to the tenants.
One should start with holding a general meeting of apartment owners. It is necessary to discuss all the nuances of the upcoming installation and determine who will take the meter readings and write out receipts for payment. The decision of the meeting must be recorded in the minutes, after which you can contact the management company with a written statement about connecting the device.
The most inexpensive way to measure heat in the arrangement is a general house meter. However, for a number of reasons, the economic effect from it can not be expected.
Method # 2 - individual measuring instruments
The main advantage of a common house device is its cheapness. However, the economic effect from its use can be much lower than expected. And there are many reasons for this. For example, insufficiently insulated entrances or neighbors' apartments, as a result of which heat losses turn out to be prohibitively large. Therefore, many people choose individual heating meters, which are installed directly in the apartment. This is a more expensive but very effective option.
Distributors are installed on each radiator in the apartment. Within a month, they record the temperature of the batteries, tracking the slightest differences. Based on this information, the heat charge is calculated.
Before planning the installation of an individual metering device, you should familiarize yourself with some technical limitations. The heat flow meter is mounted on the riser leading to the apartment. In old multi-apartment buildings, the vertical distribution of heating pipes was most often carried out. This means that there may be several risers in the apartment, for each of which it is necessary to install a device, which is extremely unprofitable. The solution to the problem could be the installation of special meters on heating batteries, but such equipment is not used in our country, although this is a common practice in European countries.
Manufacturers of metering devices suggest installing so-called distributors in houses with vertical wiring, which measure the flow rate of the coolant based on the temperature difference on the surface of the battery and in the air in the room. Another solution to the problem is a general house metering device. In buildings with horizontal wiring, the installation of any heating meters in an apartment is not complicated by anything. Compact models of devices are mounted on a pipe that supplies a coolant to a room or, in some cases, to a return pipeline.
Classification of devices
Heat meters work with different types of flow meters. There are four options to choose from depending on the operating conditions.
Mechanical devices
They are among the most simple counters. They can be screw, turbine or vane. The principle of operation of the device is based on converting the translational movement of the coolant into the movement of the measuring element. The most affordable equipment. Cannot be used if hard water is selected as the heating medium or if it contains particles of rust, scale or scale. They clog the mechanical parts of the device, therefore it is recommended to install special filters in front of it. In addition, mechanical devices do not tolerate sharp fluctuations in flow.
Mechanical heat meters are considered to be the simplest measuring instruments. However, they are very sensitive to the quality of the coolant, they quickly clog up and fail.
Electromagnetic equipment
Electromagnetic meters for heating an apartment in their work use the factor of appearance electric current when passing a liquid in a magnetic field. The devices have a fairly high metrological stability and are successfully operated. The inaccuracy of devices increases with the appearance of impurities in the water and poor-quality wire connection during installation.
Vortex counters
The equipment evaluates vortices that form behind an obstacle located in the path of the coolant. It can be installed on both vertical and horizontal pipelines. The devices are sensitive to the presence of air in the system, the quality of the welding work and impurities in the water. For their functioning, it is necessary to install a magnetic mesh filter. Deposits in the pipes do not interfere with their operation. The devices are demanding on the dimensions of the straight sections of the pipeline in front of and behind the flow meter.
Ultrasonic devices
The time that the liquid travels from the source to the signal receiver is measured. Devices are divided into Doppler, frequency, time and correlation. In any case, the equipment works flawlessly, taking measurements in a homogeneous clean liquid without sediment or scale impurities. Distortions of readings occur when air bubbles, scale or scale appear in the coolant. The most durable and reliable option.
Like any measuring device, the meter must have a certificate and passport. The documents must contain information about the initial verification, which is carried out by the manufacturer. The same information should be applied to the meter body in the form of a special stamp or sticker. During operation, the devices should also be regularly checked. The timing of its implementation depends on the model of the device. On average, the event is held every four years.
Compact ultrasonic models designed for installation in an apartment differ high precision, reliability and long service life
The order of installation and connection of meters
The installation of the meter and its connection can only be carried out by an organization that has a package of permits for carrying out such services. Its specialists carry out the following work in stages:
- carry out a connection project;
- agree on the document in the organization providing heat supply;
- install a metering device;
- register equipment;
- put the device into operation and transfer it to the supervision of a supervisory organization.
Metering devices are a good assistant to the homeowner, helping to use funds prudently. Anyone who does not want to pay for losses during the transportation of heat and cold batteries needs to start installing a meter for heating. Moreover, it is not that difficult. The main thing is to determine for yourself whether to connect an individual or common house device and delegate all other troubles to professionals.
One of the important steps on the way to saving budgetary funds for heating is the organization of heat energy metering. Accounting for such resources as gas, water and electricity has long been a common thing for most consumers. At the same time, the majority thought that heat could not be brought under this line, so the installation of meters for heating in an apartment became a kind of innovation for them. How to carry out the correct installation of a heat energy meter? Let's figure it out.
Which one to install: individual or general?
There can be two options for installing the meter: a general house heat meter or an individual one in an apartment. And each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Option number 1 - general house heat meter. For residents of an apartment building, heat metering can be carried out by installing a common house heat meter for heating in apartment building... By the way, this solution is the cheapest. After all, the very cost of the meter itself, which is very decent, and the price of its installation will be divided among the owners of high-rise apartment buildings. As a result, the amount to be paid will not be so high.
The data is taken from the counter on a monthly basis. And the amount received is distributed between the apartments according to its area. Also, if the service provider does not comply with the temperature specified in the contract, then according to the law, he is obliged to return the money paid to the tenants. But before installing a meter of this type, it is worth observing some nuances.
First you need to hold a general meeting at the house, interview everyone who wants to install a heat meter. It is necessary to discuss the features of the subsequent installation of the heat meter, as well as choose who will take the meter readings and issue receipts for paying for heat energy. The result of the meeting must be recorded in the minutes, after which a written statement can be sent to the management company about the desire of residents to install a heat meter.
From the side of installation, the most economical are general house heat meters for heating. But there are a number of points that reduce its effectiveness in saving budget funds in the future. For example, heat loss may arise due to poorly insulated entrances or apartments of other residents, and you will have to pay more for heat.
Option number 2 - individual metering devices. Undoubtedly, the arrangement of a common house heat meter is cheaper, but in the future, you should not expect a special economic effect from it. For this reason, many consumers choose individual heat meters, which are installed directly in the apartment. The installation of such a device is much more expensive, but the result from its use is much higher. You will pay less for heat than for the general house meter!
It is important to understand how the heating meter works: a distributor is mounted on each radiator in the apartment. Their task is to record the temperature and its changes during the month. Based on these data, the payment for heat energy is calculated.
But before you start any preparatory measures for installing a metering device, you need to familiarize yourself with some technical restrictions. The heat meter is installed on a riser that leads to the apartment. Old apartment buildings often equipped with vertical piping. It follows from this that several risers can enter the apartment, each of which needs to be equipped with a heat meter, which is very significantly hitting the budget. A way out of this situation can be the installation of special meters on heating radiators.
Manufacturers of heat meters recommend installing so-called distributors in houses with vertical wiring, whose task is to measure the flow rate of the coolant, based on the temperature difference, on the surface of the radiator and in the air in the room.
Buildings where horizontal wiring is performed, the installation of any heat meters is not complicated by anything. Compact devices are installed on a pipe that supplies the heating medium to the living space. Sometimes it happens that heat meters are installed on the return pipeline, they have a different principle of operation.
Is it profitable to install a meter in an apartment?
It is profitable to install a meter for heating in an apartment. The owner of the home spends money only for the heat, which is provided by the radiators, without paying for losses during its transportation. In order to save as much as possible, you need to get rid of any possible sources of heat loss as much as possible: insulate the room, install sealed window frames, etc.
It is guaranteed that you can save on payment and return the money spent if:
- obtain an installation permit and technical specifications from the heat supplying organization;
- notify the person in charge who is elected by the general meeting;
- it will be possible to install 1 metering unit for the whole apartment;
- coordinate design documents with the heat supplier;
- hand over the installed device to it in operation, after that the device must be sealed.
In fact, it is quite difficult to comply with all the listed points in order to mount a heat meter in an apartment and pay for the supply of heat according to its readings. The most successful option may be a new building, where a separate heat input goes into each apartment. And then, there may be various obstacles in the form of various legislative acts. For example, in the Russian Federation there is a decree, which states that the readings of individual heat meters are subject to accounting under the following conditions:
- heat meters must be in all apartments;
- a common heat meter must be installed at the central heating input to the house.
Almost all Soviet-era high-rise buildings are equipped with a single-pipe heating system with vertical risers. Imagine the number of appliances that will have to be installed at each riser connection. It is also unlikely that you will be granted permission, and the refusal will be justified. Riser pipes also generate heat, which individual counter will not be taken into account.
If in the house on staircases and other technical premises, heating radiators are installed, then despite the installation of an individual heat meter, you will have to pay your share for heating them. Here, step by step, you need to coordinate all your actions with the management of the condominiums. The installation work itself is a fairly simple stage, most of the time must be spent on the design of various approvals and permits.
You can install a heat meter yourself, then difficulties may arise during its commissioning by the management company. So you can contact a contractor who, for a fee, will help you resolve the issue with the papers.
How to choose the best heat meter?
There are a lot of varieties of heat meters, but 5 types are most suitable for installation in an apartment:
- mechanical (otherwise - tachometric);
- electromagnetic;
- vortex;
- ultrasonic;
- overhead sensors for batteries.
Mechanical heat meters are so called from the fact that the flow rate of the coolant is determined using an impeller immersed in it. With the help of 2 sensors, which cut into the supply and return pipelines, the temperature difference is determined. Based on these data, the calculator gives the result of the consumption of heat energy. Heat meters of this type are quite cheap, but at the same time they are very demanding on the quality of the coolant.
Organizations involved in the supply of heat do not particularly favor such devices, not so much because of the sensitivity to the quality of the coolant, but because, according to experts, this type of device is poorly protected from external influences by unauthorized persons in order to underestimate the readings.
Electromagnetic meters. This type of meter works on the principle of the generation of an electric current when a coolant passes through a magnetic field. These devices are quite stable and have been used quite successfully. Inaccuracy of measurements may occur if impurities may appear in the coolants or if the wires are poorly connected during installation.
Vortex heat meters. This type of equipment works on the principle of evaluating vortices that are formed behind an obstacle that is located in the path of the coolant. It is mounted on both horizontal and vertical pipelines. These meters are very sensitive to the presence of air in the system, as well as demanding on the quality of impurities in the coolant and the quality of welding.
For their correct operation, you need to install a magnetic mesh filter. Deposits inside the pipeline do not interfere correct work device. This device places great demands on the dimensions of straight pipeline sections before and after the flow meter.
Ultrasonic heat meters have practically no disadvantages. They are not demanding on the quality of the coolant, since its flow rate is determined using ultrasound passing through the working section. The temperature difference is calculated using sensors installed on the supply and return. The only drawback is that this device is at least 15% more expensive than a mechanical one, but the management companies recommend these devices for installation. And this is logical, since it is impossible to interfere with the operation of this device.
Heat meters, mounted on a battery, measure the temperature on its surface and the temperature of the air inside the room. After that, the calculator gives out data on the consumed heat, based on the passport data on the power of the radiator, which are entered manually.
This type of device is unlikely to be accepted for operation by a company supplying heat, but in the presence of a common house heat meter, this device will help to more accurately calculate the heat consumed in each apartment, but it should be borne in mind that these devices must be installed in each room.
Like any metering and measuring device, a heat meter must have a passport and certificate. The documents must necessarily indicate the data on the initial verification, which was carried out by the manufacturer. This information should also be indicated on the body of the device in the form of a special stamp or sticker. During operation, these devices must undergo periodic verification without fail. Its timing depends on the type of device. On average, verification is done every four years.
What is the best way to install a heat meter?
Most simple solution there will be an installation of an overhead device, since it does not require the hiring of an appropriate specialist and cutting pipes. It will be enough to fix the heat meter to the battery. The situation is different with mechanical devices; for the installation of these devices, it is necessary to close the risers, drain the water and dismantle part of the pipe. The same situation is with ultrasonic devices that cut right into the pipeline.
As mentioned earlier, before delivering this equipment, you must have permission and finished project... And in order to avoid problems with the acceptance into operation and payment of the device by the supplier, its installation must be carried out by a licensed company, which will be indicated in the act of work performed. The specialists of this company carry out work in accordance with the following stages:
- make a connection project;
- agree on the necessary documentation with the heat supplier;
- mount a heat meter;
- register the device;
- put the device into operation, transferring it to the jurisdiction of the controlling organization.
If you decide to carry out these works yourself, first carefully study the instructions for the heat meter. It contains recommendations for the installation of the device and its operation, which must be strictly observed. By the way, ultrasonic and mechanical devices must be provided with a measuring section certain sizes... That is, before and after the device, a straight pipe must be installed without turns and bends.
The measuring section for a mechanical heat meter must be at least 3 pipe diameters before the flow meter and one after. Ultrasonic heat meters are more demanding, where the measuring section must be at least 5 diameters before and 3 after the device (these data depend on the manufacturer).
Now let's talk about whether it is possible to mount an individual heat meter on the return pipe. Most manufacturers make meters that can be installed on any line, the main thing is not to confuse temperature sensors. Usually they are screwed into a tee or a special valve equipped with a separate branch pipe for this purpose.
In fact, in countries in the post-Soviet space, it is often quite difficult to legally install and commission an individual heat meter. Perhaps the efforts and material resources invested in this device will not be worth the result. Therefore, it is recommended that before contacting the organization of individual metering, it is better to consult with the heat energy supplier.
Metering devices are pretty good helpers for those who want to save their money. Anyone who does not want to pay for losses during heat transportation is recommended to think about installing a heat meter. Moreover, this is not such a difficult task. The main thing is to decide which metering device you want to install a general or individual one, it is better to entrust the rest of the work to professionals.
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