Svetlana Nikitina, leading specialist in individual heat metering at Danfoss LLC

The relevance of introducing individual metering of heat energy consumption is obvious not only to specialists, but also to residents apartment buildings. Heating tariffs are constantly growing and the only way to save money is to start regulating heat consumption and paying for individual appliances. Experts are well aware that the housing stock consumes almost twice as much more heat than in Europe. And this problem also requires a solution.

The law provides

Individual metering became mandatory with the adoption of Law No. 261-FZ “On Energy Saving”. Part 7 of Article 13 prescribes the mandatory installation of individual heat metering devices in new construction and reconstruction from January 1, 2012.

The provisions of the federal law are detailed by the Code of Rules SP 60-13330.2012 “Heating, ventilation and air conditioning”. According to P.6.1.3, “In residential apartment buildings it is necessary to provide for commercial accounting of heat consumption in internal heat supply systems for the building, as well as accounting and regulation of heat consumption for each apartment; in buildings with a vertical heating system, it is necessary to provide for the organization of apartment-by-apartment metering of heat consumption (installation of radiator heat distributors and other similar devices).”

Door-to-door accounting can be achieved in two ways. In buildings with horizontal distribution of heating systems - by installing apartment heat meters at the entrance to each apartment. In buildings with vertical distribution - by installing radiator distributors on each heating device. Other methods and developments known among specialists are not yet suitable for mass implementation.

Features of radiator distributors

The advantages of radiator distributors are ease of installation and maintenance, reliability, lack of direct contact with the coolant and long service life (10 years or more) without intermediate verification.

The disadvantages of these devices could include an indirect measurement method, which does not allow directly measuring the amount of heat consumed, but only the share of consumption of each room in the total amount of thermal energy consumed by the entire building. In this case, ideally, for correct distribution, the shares of all rooms should be measured in identical units, since only in this case can these units be accurately converted into physical units of heat, based on the readings of a common house appliance.

When installing distributors, the types and dimensions must be recorded in writing. heating devices, on which the distributors are installed. From these data, radiator coefficients are determined for each heating device, provided by the distributor manufacturer. Radiator coefficients must either be immediately programmed into each distributor, or taken into account when calculating for each room in the software. This procedure has been worked out for each manufacturer, but it must be strictly followed.

Current methods in accordance with the “Rules for the provision of utilities owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings" (approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354, with subsequent amendments and additions) allow up to 50% of unequipped premises (in relation to the total area of ​​the house) when calculating for distributors. This norm, of course, introduces errors into the calculation of individual consumption values. This assumption is justified only by the impossibility in practice to equip with instruments and collect readings from all 100% of heated premises apartment building even with automated readings. This is especially true for existing housing stock, built before Federal Law No. 261 came into force.

First there was modernization

There is a special conversation about the old housing stock in general. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of apartment buildings there is no not only individual accounting, but also weather control at the entrance to the building, and individual regulation in the form of thermostats on heating devices, and balancing of risers, and, often, commercial accounting at the entrance to the building.

Without all this equipment, installing individual metering makes no sense. At the same time, the entire complex of measures is quite expensive. In terms of one apartment, this can amount to several tens of thousands of rubles.

Carrying out such modernization requires special financial and organizational schemes, for example, energy service ones. The process today is hampered by the lack of affordable lending, special funds for targeted support of these activities, and an incomplete regulatory framework. Weak self-organization of residents of apartment buildings and an insufficient number of competent specialists in housing and communal services also limit the practice of modernizing existing housing.

In this direction, further concerted efforts of residents, the state, business and specialists are needed. The Danfoss company does a lot of work in this direction, organizing training seminars for specialists from partner companies, consulting government agencies, and educating end consumers. We encourage everyone who understands the importance and relevance of these events to cooperate.

When they circumvent the law

In new construction, the introduction of individual accounting is active, despite the fact that in a number of regions developers manage to circumvent the provisions of Federal Law No. 261 under various pretexts. One of these excuses was the alleged lack of technical ability to install individual devices metering during vertical distribution, since the distributors were not treated as metering devices.

The Ministry of Regional Development of Russia, in response to a request from the Department of Urban Development Policy of Moscow dated August 12, 2013, explained that a set of distributors installed in an apartment building are individual metering devices, since they make it possible to determine the amount of consumption of each room, subject to the presence of a common house meter. Thus, distributors should be installed in new buildings with vertical distribution of heating systems. The same applies to reconstructed buildings.

Settlement rules

After the commissioning of buildings equipped with individual heat metering devices, the question of organizing calculations arises. With individual heat meters everything is simple: they show the direct heat consumption in each apartment. This process is organized by distributors a little more complicated.

The legal basis for such calculations is the “Rules for the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings.” The document contains the necessary formulas and defines the procedure for payment for heating for individual devices, including distributors. To calculate payments, the software of management companies and payment centers must be adapted to this calculation scheme.

As a solution, Danfoss LLC offers software for its devices that allows you to maintain a database of readings from individual devices, read these readings, convert them into physical heat units for each apartment, and print the calculation results in various types- including individual calculation of the apartment. This software is provided free of charge and has a flexible output file format, it is easily integrated into various systems. To master the accounting system based on Danfoss equipment and software, regular free training seminars are held for specialists from management companies and service organizations.

The question often arises of what to do when payments for heating are calculated not by the management company, but directly by heat supply organizations, in the presence of direct contracts with residents. The answer is contained in the “Rules for the Provision of Public Utilities”. In this case, the heat supply organization acts as the provider of the heating utility service, and is subject to all the rights and obligations of the provider (Section IV of the Rules). In particular, the contractor is obliged to accept into operation individual metering devices (including distributors) installed in apartments and charge payments for them in accordance with the “Rules”.

Thus, heat supply organizations that enter into contracts for servicing houses in which distributors or apartment meters are installed must ensure that calculations are carried out for individual devices - install the necessary software, send specialists for training, ensure that readings are taken and payments are calculated in the prescribed manner.

Here one should not confuse commercial accounting and apartment accounting. The definition of commercial metering in accordance with the Civil Code of the Russian Federation includes only metering at the border of the balance sheet between the supplier and the consumer, provided that the consumer has receiving devices connected directly to the supplier’s networks. Residents of an apartment building do not have such devices; they are only available at the entrance to the building. Therefore, apartment metering is not subject to the “Rules for commercial metering of coolant,” but only to the “Rules for the provision of utility services.”

Features of application

It is worth noting a number of shortcomings of the “Rules” that emerged in practice during the implementation of individual accounting. Clause 42(1) (as amended by PP No. 344) states the following:

“In an apartment building that is equipped with a collective (common building) heat energy meter and in which not all residential or non-residential premises are equipped with individual and (or) common (apartment) heat energy metering devices (distributors), the amount of payment for utility services for heating in a residential premises is determined in accordance with formula 3 of Appendix No. 2 to these Rules based on the readings of the collective (common house) heat metering device energy."

Accordingly, Formula 3 from Appendix No. 2 contains the calculation of the consumption of an apartment by its area based on the average indicator for a common household appliance per 1 sq. m. meter of area of ​​apartments in the house. Thus, if 100% of the readings from individual devices are not collected, then their readings are not accepted for calculation. In practice, any management company can confirm that it is almost never possible to obtain 100% of readings. With this approach, installing individual devices actually loses its meaning, since calculations cannot be carried out on them.

In the case of distributors, the “Rules” provide additional requirements in clause 53, which require that at the end of the year payments be adjusted taking into account the readings of the distributors (according to formula 6 of Appendix No. 2), which ultimately allows the thrifty to return the saved funds, and “wasteful” apartments will receive additional payments for excess consumption. However, in the case of apartment meters, no additional adjustment is provided. In our opinion, this situation should be corrected as soon as possible, since it is in conflict with Federal Law No. 261 and impedes the normal progress of the implementation of individual accounting.

Flaws in calculation formulas

When calculating by distributors, apartments without appliances are calculated by area based on the average consumption per 1 sq. m. meter. This does not encourage residents to install and maintain the devices. In fact, in apartments without meters, as a rule, they do not care about saving and obviously consume more than the average for the house. Consequently, they underpay, and their payments fall on metered apartments. As a result, some apartments with meters - not the most economical ones, but still having installed devices - will have to pay more than apartments without devices.

This situation could be corrected by introducing increasing coefficients for apartments without appliances - at least for those buildings in which individual appliances were installed during construction or by decision of the majority of residents of the building. The coefficients can be entered according to the same scheme that was introduced for apartment-by-apartment metering of water and other energy resources. This would restore fairness in payments and encourage residents to install appliances in their apartments.

We see another drawback in the absence of the share of general house costs (unregulated costs) distributed over the area in the formulas of Appendix No. 2 for allocators. The fact is that, unlike water supply, the share of such costs, not measured by distributors and not regulated by residents, in heating systems is quite large - at least 30%. This is especially true for vertical single-pipe heating systems with non-insulated risers, in which apartments receive a significant proportion of heat from the risers. European standards recommend for such heating systems when using distributors to increase the share of unregulated (fixed) costs in the calculation formula up to 50%. This increases the accuracy of the calculation and eliminates situations where the apartment is heated from risers and may not have to pay for heating.

Despite these shortcomings, which certainly require adjustments, the “Rules” still oblige and make it possible to switch to apartment-by-apartment accounting in buildings equipped with distributors. Residents have every right to demand the transition to individual accounting in those houses where the necessary equipment is installed.

Optimizing heating costs is an understandable desire of every homeowner. However, for a number of reasons, not every apartment has the opportunity to install an individual heat meter. The problem is solved by installing a radiator distributor, which allows you to pay not for the calculated amount, but for the amount of heat consumed by the home. Such devices have begun to become increasingly popular in recent years. Let's look at how a heat distributor functions and understand the advantages and features of the installation.

Features of the device

Heat distributors are often confused with a traditional heat energy meter, which calculates the volume passed through a pipe hot water. In the case of a distributor, everything is different. It is mounted on the battery and after a certain period of time, calculated in minutes, records the surface temperature at the mounting location and the air temperature in the room. The difference between the temperature readings is automatically memorized by the device and is subsequently used to calculate the amount of heat consumed.

It should be understood that measurement data is indicated in conventional units. To convert to Gcal, they need to be multiplied by the radiator coefficient, which is determined by the type and dimensions of a particular device. If two heat distributors different sizes attached to the same radiator, then, working simultaneously, they will give the same temperature readings. However, a larger device exhibits increased heat dissipation. Therefore, the specified coefficient is used to correct the readings. Manufacturers of distributors develop special tables that indicate specific coefficient values ​​for different types devices.

The distributor's power source is built directly into the device itself. The voltage level of this source is low and is completely safe for humans.

Among the numerous brands of heat distributors, it is worth highlighting the device of the Pulsar brand, which was developed and produced in Russia with strict adherence to European technologies. The device has a number of advantages:

• the ability to take readings without having to enter the home;
• more simple circuits adjustments and work;
• use of a proprietary free software product that allows you to read readings;
• aluminum radiator, its cost is included in the price of the heat distribution device itself;
• shutdown function on summer period;
• protection against external heating and indication of removal of the device from the radiator are provided;
• Reconciliation of readings can be carried out using a checksum.

Benefits of use

The use of thermal energy distributors significantly saves the finances of the owner of the living space. Payment for the resource occurs according to actual consumption, and not according to the established norm.

It should be mentioned here that throughout the year the owner of the apartment makes payments according to the general building meter. At the same time, several times heating season The heat distributors are read. The readings are used to determine the difference between the calculated and actual volume of thermal energy consumed by a particular apartment. This difference is taken into account when calculating for the next period, and the amount of payments is reduced.

Heat distributor for the battery: installation features

Correct operation of heat spreaders depends on correct installation. Most devices can be installed on different types batteries and other heating units. However, depending on the type of distributor, the installation procedure will differ. All features and installation algorithm are described in detail in the instructions for each device.

Please note that heat distribution devices cannot be used for technical reasons:

• convectors and other heating products with a built-in electric fan;
• "warm floor" systems;
• units that are regulated using air valves;
• heating devices that are mounted on the ceiling or take air from outside;
• devices in which it is not possible to stop the movement of the coolant;
• heating systems where water vapor plays the role of coolant.

In the territory Russian Federation the majority of residential buildings, especially those built in the Soviet Union, are equipped with a heating system vertical type, in which it is most advisable to use a heat distributor rather than a heat meter. Therefore, in most apartments these devices are installed.

What do you need to know before installing the distributor?

Installation of heat distributor devices has the following features:

• Along with the distributor, thermostatic regulators must be installed on heating units, which will make it possible to maintain the desired microclimate in the room and not consume more heat than the required volume.
• Installation of a radiator heat distribution device is advisable on industrial batteries, and not on homemade heating units.
• Installation of the distributor must be agreed upon with the Management Company or resource supplier. The procedure and procedure for recalculation, the rights and obligations of the parties are specified in detail in the agreement. In particular, the timing and method of taking readings from the heat distribution device and the person authorized to perform this operation are indicated. The agreement also reflects the procedure for paying compensation for overpayments.

The installation of a heat energy distributor must be carried out by a specialist, taking into account the heat supply scheme for the house or apartment.

The Techem company owns unique technologies for testing heating devices and for the production and installation of heat energy metering devices in residential and commercial buildings.

Heat computers and heat distributors

The latest heat metering devices include the FHKV dataIII/radio4 heat computer from Techem. In the description of the type of measuring instruments, they are called Electronic devices for calculating thermal energy, always containing two temperature sensors for measuring the surface temperature of the heating device and the air temperature in the room.

The operating principle of the FHKV dataIII/radio4 device (heat calculator) is based on calculating the amount of thermal energy (heat) released by a heating device by processing measurement information about the current surface temperature of the heating device and the current ambient temperature with a logarithmic calculation of the difference between these temperatures and multiplying the result by coefficients , taking into account various thermal connections of temperature sensors with temperatures to be recorded for various types of heating surface designs, the direction of coolant distribution, as well as dimensions and, including the degree “n” calculation formula, the rated power in W (kW) of a specific heating device.

Research conducted with Techem devices at an accredited stand in Germany with the participation of specialists from the Federal State Unitary Enterprise VNIIMS showed that the thermal energy meter FHKV dataIII/radio4 (heat computer) with two temperature sensors calibrated in production correctly calculates the actual heat output of the heating device in kWh within specified in the Description of the type of boundaries. Based on the tests carried out, Techem LLC was issued the corresponding Certificate for approval of the type of measuring instruments DE.C.32.004.A No. 63458.

The principle of measuring and calculating heat transfer only allows one to correctly calculate the heat transfer of a heating device in kWh if two-sensor devices and a special mathematical model entered into the device controller are considered.

The display of the heat calculator shows integer values ​​in kWh of the heat emitted by the heating device. Techem FHKV radio4 heat calculators are factory verified and have a service life of 12 years, after which they must be verified or replaced with new ones.

Experience has shown that such inexpensive heat metering devices are in great demand and are welcomed by both the population and bona fide market participants among developers, management organizations and homeowners' associations. Compared to heat distributors that calculate and display only a number proportional to the heat output of the heating device in conventional units, FHKV dataIII/radio4 heat computers solve the socially significant tasks of fair, transparent calculation of actual consumption and achieving energy efficiency much better.

The type description notes that heat calculators in the FHKV dataIII/radio4 modifications, based on the measured surface temperature of the heating device and the room temperature and additional coefficients entered into the device memory, calculate with a given error of up to 12% the amount of thermal energy in kWh given by the heating device. This property has been confirmed through testing and is a unique achievement of Techem.
a) b)

A) 2F - in the Compact version; b) FF - in version with external temperature sensor

Devices in modifications FHKV varioS, vario4, based on measured temperatures and coefficients previously entered into the device memory, calculate a value proportional to the amount of thermal energy given off by the heating device.

Devices that calculate heat transfer in conventional units are called heat allocators (heating cost allocator). The value they calculate is called conventional units and, with some significant error, approaches the actual heat transfer from the heating device if there is a surface temperature sensor of the heating device and an air temperature sensor in the room.

The remaining companies producing two-sensor heat distributors do not yet have the necessary competencies to produce heat metering devices with calculation of heat output from heating devices in kWh.

Heat distributors with one temperature sensor

In Russia, some market participants are actively promoting single-sensor heat spreaders, for example, INDIV-X-10R and others. In this regard, consumers, developers, designers and engineering companies need to be firmly aware of the differences between heat calculators and heat allocators (heating costs) and two-sensor devices from single-sensor devices.

Single-sensor heat spreaders are equipped with only one heater surface temperature sensor. A second unchangeable air temperature in the room is entered into the distributor controller, usually 20°C.

Then, if the room temperature is more than 20°C, then the single-sensor distributor will underestimate part of the thermal pressure ΔtS, that is, at a real air temperature of 26°C, the underestimated temperature pressure will be 26 - 20 = + 6K (°C), and this is already an error of 30 % (6/20) in favor of the heat-loving consumer. With a lower temperature difference of 6K (°C), this will be an error of 42.8% (6/14).

In this regard, the further statement of sellers of single-sensor allocators that their devices are similar in design and calculation principle to double-sensor heat calculators and heat allocators, and also that single-sensor heat allocators are better than double-sensor heat allocators because they do not respond to attempts at manipulation by the consumer, is, to put it mildly, speaking, a marketing ploy to sell the device.

In reality, single-sensor heat allocators (heating cost allocators) have an extremely limited field of application. In accordance with clause 7.1.2 EN834:2013 table A.1 (standard STO NP "AVOK" 4.3-2007), single-sensor heat distributors can be used exclusively in heating systems with a minimum average value design temperature coolant t m,A > 55°C. In this case, the temperature in rooms with installed single-sensor heat distributors should be below 16°C (clause 8.3). In addition, the fundamental standard for manufacturers of heat distributors and calculators, EN834:2013, sets maximum requirements for the c-value (minimum thermal reference, c = 1 - Δts/Δt), which is determined for each heating device in accredited laboratories in Europe. In Russia today there are no such laboratories certified according to European standards.

In accordance with clause 8.5 of EN834:2013 (standard STO NP “AVOK” 4.3-2007) “Distributors with a single-sensor measuring principle and distributors with a room sensor located separately should not be used on heating devices with a value of c> 0.3.”

It follows from this that the standard EN834:2013 table A.1 (standard STO NP "AVOK" 4.3-2007) does not allow the installation of single-sensor heat distributors on convectors, since they have a c-value of 0.45 and higher. In pursuit of excess profits, this rule is often violated by unscrupulous suppliers.

All of the above means that a single-sensor heat distributor adequately and reliably calculates the share of thermal energy consumption in conventional units only at a coolant temperature above 55°C and room air temperature below 16°C for certain types of heating devices, except for convectors.

Rice. 2: Example of incorrect installation of a single-sensor heat distributor on a convector

An additional consequence of the incorrect use of single-sensor heat distributors is the effect of different heating charges for the same readings on the displays of different heat distributors in different houses!
That is, in apartments of the same building with the same actual heat consumption in kWh, when using single-sensor heat distributors, the calculated value of heat consumption after all procedures may differ by 20-60%. The difference is higher during the transition periods of autumn and spring.

This means that the payment for heat will be significantly (20-60%) different for the same readings of a single-sensor heat distributor in different rooms one building!

The relative error in calculating heat consumption in kWh by a heating device for two-sensor heat calculator FHKV does not exceed 12% when the temperature difference between the surface of the radiator or convector and the air in the room is 2-4 K, and no more than 3% when the difference is 40 K and above. The average relative error in calculating the heat emitted by a heating device during the heating period for two-sensor FHKV heat computers does not exceed 7%.

The sum of the readings of all heat calculator FHKV dataIII/radio4, according to the experience of Techem LLC clients within one facility without preliminary recalculations, ranges from 65 to 90 percent of the total consumption in accordance with the readings of ODPU heat, depending on the month of the heating period. This is additional confirmation of the correspondence of the FHKV dataIII/radio4 readings to the actual heat transfer from heating devices.

How to differentiate between heat calculators and heat allocators

The following clearly visible symbols must be indicated on the calculator or distributor:
- t min - the minimum value of the average design coolant temperature t m,A at which the calculator or heat distributor can be used;
- t max - the maximum value of the average design temperature of the coolant t m, A in radiators equipped with calculators or distributors as part of a heating system in which a calculator or distributor can be used;
- type of device, for example, FHKV radio4;
- number of sensors: one - 1F or two - 2F in the Compact version - all sensors in one housing or FF with a remote temperature sensor for the surface temperature of the heating device;
- unit for calculating actual heat transfer in kWh (for heat calculators);
- device number or general evaluation coefficient K and evaluation coefficient K Q or a number proportional to these evaluation coefficients (for distributors, see clause 8.4).

On single-sensor heat distributors, t min = 55°C is always set.

Additional differences: if the device body has an infrared port for entering and reading information, then it is a two-sensor device; if there is no such port, it is a single-sensor heat distributor.

Determination of heat transfer by heat calculators and heat distributors

FHKV heat calculators (dataIII, radio4) have a t min > 35°C and always contain two factory-calibrated temperature sensors for Russia - the surface of the heating device and the air temperature in the room. The beginning of the calculations begins with the calculation start air temperature of 18.5°C and the surface of the heating device 22.5°C, which makes it possible to calculate heat consumption in the entire range of coolant temperatures during the entire heating period. The device in version 2F is designed for t max = 90°C and in version FF - for 130°C.

Next, in FHKV metering devices (dataIII, radio4), the amount of thermal energy (heat) released by the heating device is calculated by processing measurement information about the current surface temperature of the heating device and the current ambient temperature with a logarithmic calculation of the difference between these temperatures and multiplying the result by coefficients that take into account various thermal connections of temperature sensors with temperatures to be recorded for various types of heating surface design, direction of coolant distribution, as well as dimensions and, including the degree “n” of the calculation formula, the rated power of a specific heating device in W (kW). That is, all calculations are carried out in the computers themselves, which does not violate the principle of unity of measurements and calculations and is unique property FHKV computers (dataIII, radio4). The calculated thermal energy is reflected on the device display.

It is significant that although heat calculators are thermal energy metering devices, they are not heat meters in the interpretation of the Government of the Russian Federation Decree No. 354 dated May 6, 2011.

Heat meters by definition consist of a pair of resistance thermometers, a flow meter and a calculator that calculates the consumed thermal energy for a group of heating devices of one thermal circuit based on the measured temperatures on the supply and return pipelines of the circuit and the mass (through the volume) of the coolant passing through the circuit.

Thermal energy metering devices - heat calculator FHKV (dataIII, radio4) use a different physical principle for calculating the output of thermal energy by a heating device, based on constantly measured temperatures of the heating device and air entered into the device memory, the power of the heating device in W (kW) and coefficients, and calculate (integrate over time) the amount of thermal energy given off by one heating device. Therefore, the Methodology for commercial metering of thermal energy developed for heat meters is not applicable to them.

In heat distributors, the thermal pressure is calculated, and all calculations of heat consumption are always carried out on an external computer using the readings of a collective heat meter and normalizing the costs of one heating unit common areas as a share, for example, 40%, of the general house consumption of thermal energy.

Therefore, it is important for calculations that this standard for heating is not defined at all for buildings in Russia. That is, in fact, calculations of heat consumption by distributors cannot be carried out. And if they are carried out, then in violation of the current Housing Code of the Russian Federation and the Rules for the provision of utility services (Rules) according to the RF PP No. 354 of 05/06/2011.

For the option of using heat calculators, formula 3.3 from Appendix 2 of the Rules is used.

Electronic devices for calculating and distributing thermal energy FHKV (varioS, vario4, dataIII, radio4), as indicated in the description of the SI type, are used in housing stock and urban infrastructure facilities with single-pipe or double-pipe vertical and horizontal systems heating circuit wiring.

conclusions

Heat distributors

1. If in a residential apartment or room the temperature of the heating device is below 55°C and the air temperature is more than 16°C, then it is prohibited to install single-sensor distributors in them!!! Calculations in such buildings do not correspond to the actual heat consumption in the premises.

2. In addition, if convectors of any type are installed in buildings, then this is an additional condition prohibiting the installation of single-sensor heat distributors, for example, INDIV-X-10R, even if the temperatures meet the requirements of the standard.

3. When using single-sensor distributors in the same building in different rooms with the same readings on the display, the heat payment may differ significantly by up to 20-60%.

4. The error in calculating heat consumption when using distributors significantly depends on the number of them installed in the house. The higher and significantly higher it is, the fewer distributors are installed in the house.

5. Calculations for heat for heat distributors do not comply with the Rules for RF Regulations No. 354.

6. The readings on the display of the distributors do not correspond to the calculations for heat and the calculations must be explained by additional documents indicating the price of 1 conventional unit in kWh.

7. Calculations for buildings with heat distributors can be easily falsified in software products on an external computer and it is almost impossible for the consumer to check them. These programs constitute a metrologically significant part of payments for heat and are required to undergo mandatory certification with the issuance of a certificate.

8. Only two-sensor heat distributors can be used for installation on almost all heating devices.

Heat computers

1. The readings of heat calculator in kWh FHKV dataIII/radio4 can be used for calculations when installed even in one apartment and do not depend on the number of calculator installed in the building.

2. Calculations for heat for FHKV dataIII/radio4 heat computers comply with the Rules of the Russian Federation Regulations No. 354. The readings on the display of FHKV dataIII/radio4 heat computers correspond to actual heat consumption and are reflected in payment documents.

3. Calculations for heat calculator cannot be falsified in software products on an external computer, since all calculations are made in the calculator itself, and the consumer can easily check them using the display readings.

4. FHKV dataIII/radio4 heat computers can be installed on all types of heating devices with virtually no restrictions.

Rules for carrying out calculations After the commissioning of buildings equipped with individual heat metering devices, the question of organizing calculations arises. With individual heat meters everything is simple: they show the direct heat consumption in each apartment. This process is organized by distributors a little more complicated. The legal basis for such calculations is the “Rules for the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings.” The document contains the necessary formulas and defines the procedure for payment for heating for individual devices, including distributors. To calculate payments, the software of management companies and payment centers must be adapted to this calculation scheme.

Heat metering using apartment distributors.

A new application is being written to turn off the riser and drain water from the heating system. It is worth noting that the date and time for performing these procedures are assigned by the management company itself.

Therefore, after receiving the permit, representatives of the contractor organization are notified. When replacing radiators, the presence of representatives of the management company is not necessary.

Attention

Only after all systems have been installed is another statement written stating that new radiators have been installed and their technical examination is required by technicians from the management company. It may include the following steps:

• Visual verification of all structural elements and docking units.
• After filling the system with coolant, the radiators will also be inspected for leaks.
• If everything has been done in accordance with the requirements, a document is signed confirming the registration of new radiators.

These procedures can take from 2 to 4 months.

Installation of heating cost allocators

When they circumvent the law In new construction, the introduction of individual accounting is active, despite the fact that in a number of regions developers manage to circumvent the provisions of Federal Law No. 261 under various pretexts. One of these pretexts was the alleged lack of technical ability to install individual metering devices for vertical wiring, since the distributors were not treated as metering devices.

Important

The Ministry of Regional Development of Russia, in response to a request from the Department of Urban Development Policy of Moscow dated August 12, 2013, explained that a set of distributors installed in an apartment building are individual metering devices, since they make it possible to determine the amount of consumption of each room, subject to the presence of a common house meter. Thus, distributors should be installed in new buildings with vertical distribution of heating systems.

The same applies to reconstructed buildings.

Individual heat metering: application practice

As a result, based on the data obtained, you can make a general calculation for replacing the heating radiator. Article Quantity Price, rub. Amount, rub. Radiator, bimetal.

6 sections 6 340 2040 Organization of supply lines, installation of bypass 1 980 980 Check valve 1 480 480 Ball valve 2 415 830 Fastening kit 1 340 340 Mayevsky valve 1 140 140 Riser disconnection service (only during heating season) 1 1200 1200 Service - installation of a radiator 1 1400 1400 Total 7410 This is the maximum cost for replacing heating radiators in an apartment. If you carry out the work in the summer and do the installation yourself, you can deduct the service for turning off the heating riser and installation. In this case, the total cost will be 4810 rubles. This is significantly lower than the full one, but at the same time, the owner of the apartment assumes all the risks of complying with the technology.

Heat distributor for the battery - save money while staying at home

Info

There is no need to hide such a heat meter - it looks perfect in modern interior rooms Heat computers are programmed to operate on a specific type heating radiator at the time of installation on it. All necessary coefficients and power indicators of the radiator are entered into the meter’s memory, which allows it to display data on heat consumption in kilowatt-hours.

The numbers indicated by heat distributors are displayed in conventional units. To convert them into kilowatt-hours, you should multiply the value of the readings by the rated power of the heating radiator and the coefficient corresponding to the type of heating battery.

The coefficient numbers are provided by the meter manufacturer based on the results of laboratory tests. A heat spreader is similar to a heat calculator. They are distinguished by the inability of the distributor to count heat as kilowatts per hour.

How to move the battery to the loggia without breaking the law

This assumption is justified only by the impossibility in practice to equip with instruments and collect readings from all 100% of the heated premises of an apartment building, even with automated readings. This is especially true for existing housing stock, built before Federal Law No. 261 came into force.
First there was modernization. In general, there is a special conversation about the old housing stock. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of apartment buildings there is not only individual metering, but also weather control at the entrance to the building, and individual regulation in the form of thermostats on heating devices, and balancing of risers, and, often, commercial metering at the entrance to the building.

Without all this equipment, installing individual metering makes no sense. At the same time, the entire complex of measures is quite expensive.

In terms of one apartment, this can amount to several tens of thousands of rubles.

Replacing heating radiators in an apartment.

Handicraft methods of installing the meter will worsen the quality of data collection. If there is no specialized mounting kit, it is more rational to mount 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 heat meter in an apartment is as follows:

• a written application to the house management organization for permission to install a heat meter. Copies of documents on ownership of the living space and the technical passport of the apartment must be attached to the letter;
• receiving technical specifications for installation of a heat meter from a heat energy supplier (usually management company);
• preparation of a project for individual heat metering and installation technical documentation.

How to replace heating batteries in an apartment without breaking the law

The advantages of horizontal distribution of heating pipes include:

• the ability to regulate the temperature in each apartment, as well as throughout the entire highway (installation of mixing units is required);
• repair or maintenance on a separate heating circuit without complete shutdown heating system. Shut-off valves allows you to block the contour of the apartment at any time;
• quick start of heating on all floors. For comparison, even in a well-balanced single-pipe vertical distribution system, delivery of 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.
Residential heat meters – 5 years. Payback period for installing heat distributors and radiator thermostats for two-room apartment 1 year, with a service life of the thermostat 30 years, and a heat distributor 10 years. For budget-conscious residents, this period will be even shorter. Remember the basic rules for organizing apartment metering using heat distributors:

• Thermostatic regulators must be installed on heating devices.
• At least 75% of heated rooms in the building must be equipped with thermostats and heat distributors.
• the actual consumption of thermal energy for heating a residential building should be produced by a common house heat meter.
• The housing organization must organize recalculation of payments for residents based on readings from common house and apartment metering devices.

Today there is no alternative to widespread metering of consumed energy resources. But if electricity, water and gas meters have already become commonplace in apartments and individual houses, then apartment heat meters are just beginning to appear in new buildings.

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P Apartment metering of consumed thermal energy with regulated heat output from heating devices allows residents to save as much as possible in terms of heating costs and at the same time motivates them to reduce heat consumption. However, for successful and widespread implementation of accounting, it is necessary to solve three interrelated problems. Firstly, to develop and adopt the appropriate regulatory and technical framework, secondly, to arrange the supply of reliable and cost-effective means of regulation and accounting and, thirdly, to prepare not only engineering and technical personnel, but also the population for the rational use of heat in residential premises and payment depending on actual consumption.

Is it possible or not?

Federal Law No. 261 “On Energy Saving” in Part 7 of Art. 13 prescribes the mandatory installation of individual heat metering devices in all newly constructed and reconstructed buildings from January 1, 2012. In fact, this article of the law gave the green light to the development of a mass market for individual heat metering in new construction. Over the past two-plus years, hundreds of apartment buildings with installed devices individual heat metering.

However, there are misconceptions associated with an inaccurate understanding of the legislation.

Thus, it is believed that an individual heat metering device must comply precisely with the requirements of the “Rules for the metering of thermal energy and coolant”. According to the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, an energy supply contract is concluded at the balance sheet boundary between the energy supplier and the subscriber “...if he has a power receiving device that meets the established technical requirements and is connected to the networks of the energy supplying organization...”(Clause 2, Article 359).

Obviously, a resident of an apartment building does not have such receiving devices; they are only available at the entrance of the heat supply system to the building. Accordingly, door-to-door accounting is not commercial accounting, and therefore the requirements of the above-mentioned document should not apply to it.

And everything related to the consumption of energy resources by individual consumers in apartment buildings falls within the scope of the “Rules for the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings” (Government Decree No. 354 as amended by resolutions No. 344, 824, etc.) .

In particular, in accordance with these “Rules...”, when concluding direct contracts between energy suppliers and residents (without the participation of the management company), the supplier becomes the Provider of the utility service, and is subject to all the obligations of the Contractor for acceptance in the “Rules...” operation, maintenance and charging of payments for individual metering devices.

The “Rules for the Provision of Utility Services” provide for the possibility of organizing individual heat metering using both apartment heat meters and radiator distributors. At the same time, apartment heat meters are used only for horizontal wiring of heating systems, installing them at the entrance of the heating system to each apartment. Heat meters are not suitable for vertical wiring, since they are too expensive to install on each battery and do not capture small flow rates and temperature differences that need to be measured on one battery.

A whole wave of misunderstandings and misunderstandings regarding the use of individual metering in vertical heating systems was caused by the order of the Ministry of Regional Development No. 627 of December 29, 2011 “On approval of criteria for the presence (absence) of the technical feasibility of installing individual, common (apartment), collective (common house) metering devices" .

The text of the order could be interpreted in such a way that there is no technical feasibility organization of apartment-by-apartment heat metering, since radiator distributors recommended for vertical systems are not individual metering devices. However, the order itself contained a clause stating that this criterion does not apply to buildings specified in Part 7 of Art. 13 Federal Law No. 261 “On Energy Saving”, i.e. for newly constructed and reconstructed buildings. Later, clarifications were received from the Ministry of Regional Development of Russia in the form of a response to a request from the Department of Urban Development Policy of Moscow (letter from the Ministry of Regional Development dated August 12, 2013), which confirms the compliance of the distributors with the definition of “individual metering device” given in the “Rules for the Provision of Public Utilities”: “In vertical heating systems, heat flow metering systems with radiator indicators (distributors or allocators - types of devices certified as measuring instruments) can be used”.

Such metering systems correspond to the definition of “individual metering device” given in the resolution (clause 2, section 1), since they include a set of measuring instruments and additional equipment (indicators, concentrators, communication systems, software) used to determine consumption volumes resource. Based on the results of the operation of these systems, the amount of heat used during the heating period for each heating device, room, or apartment is determined.

Therefore, there are no legislative obstacles to the use of distributors in systems with vertical distribution. On the contrary, in accordance with Federal Law No. 261 “On Energy Saving,” they must be installed to ensure individual metering in all newly built and reconstructed houses, if the project provides for vertical wiring. The use of distributors for vertical heating systems is also regulated by SP 60.13330.2012 “Heating, ventilation and air conditioning” (clause 6.1.3). And the operation of distributors and keeping records in accordance with their readings (with the obligatory presence of a common house heat meter for heating) - “Rules for the provision of utility services.”

The main obstacles to the use of distributors in the existing housing stock remain the need to modernize old heating systems with the installation of control equipment at the entrance to the house and in apartments, as well as the disorganization of the residents themselves, who do not know how to make collective decisions on the technical re-equipment of their houses.

For apartment-by-apartment metering and regulation of heat consumption when vertically distributing a heating system, at least a building-wide heat meter for heating, radiator distributors and thermostatic regulators on each heating device (at least 50% of apartments) are required.

Radiator distributors

Radiator distributors can be used regardless of the type of wiring of the heating system, and they are significantly cheaper than heat meters, and in most apartments it is more profitable to install a distributor on each radiator. The distributors are easy to install and maintain and can be used for 10 years until the end of the battery life without intermediate verification.

Buildings with vertical distribution include approximately 92-93% of the old housing stock and 4/5 of houses under construction. For such houses, there are no other proven and proven technologies for apartment-by-apartment accounting, except for distributors. These are precisely distributors that take into account thermal energy in conventional units.

The distributor measures the temperature differences between the surface of the heating device at a certain point and the air in the room. The measured values ​​are summed every three to four minutes. The readings are then multiplied by the radiator coefficient, which is pre-calculated based on the rated power of a particular radiator and the thermal contact of the distributor itself with its surface. Radiator coefficients for various types and dimensions of heating devices are necessarily provided by the distributor manufacturer. The resulting consumption value is proportional to the heat transfer of the device. But the distributor takes into account only that part of the heat that came from the battery into the room. Some of the heat is lost due to heat exchange through the outer walls of the apartment. These losses through the walls depend not only on those included in the project constructive solutions, but also the outside air temperature.

But this “lost” heat is also consumed by the consumer and is reflected in the readings of the common house meter. Therefore, to calculate the actual payment, the amount of readings from the distributors must be correlated with the readings of the general house heat meter. And only on the basis of this ratio for a given building for a specific measurement period is it possible to convert conventional units into kWh or Gcal.

The distributor readings directly depend on the surface temperature of the heating device. Radiator coefficients, which take into account the power of a specific model of heating device and the degree of contact of the sensor, can be programmed into the distributor itself during installation, or can be taken into account later, in the calculation program. For a specific house, based on the results of each full calendar year, the “weight” of one unit of the distributor, taking into account the radiator coefficient, will be close in value. After receiving the results of the first calculations, the tenant will be able to approximately estimate what amount of payment corresponds to the readings of his instruments. Unfortunately, as tariffs increase, payments will increase proportionally; in this case, you can save only if correct use thermostats by lowering the battery temperature. At the same time, the distributor readings for the previous year are also displayed on the screen throughout the next year.

Installation nuances distributors

Correct, uniform and tamper-proof installation of distributors is of fundamental importance for adequate calculation of individual heat consumption. This is exactly the case when amateur creativity should be reduced to zero.

Most manufacturers have developed and tested technologies for installing heat distributors on hundreds of types of heating devices on the market.

Installation methods for such popular heating devices as steel panel radiators, aluminum and bimetallic sectional radiators, cast iron sectional radiators are largely unified among all manufacturers. Only the dimensions and shape of the fasteners differ slightly depending on the size and design of the distributors themselves.

Thus, installation on sectional (cast iron, aluminum and bimetallic) radiators is carried out in the middle along the width of the radiator between sections, at a height of ¾ from the lower edge of the heating device (for example, the INDIV-10R distributor manufactured by Danfoss, Fig.1).

Rice. 1. Heat spreader INDIV-10R

If the radiator has an odd number of sections, then the device must be installed between the middle section and the one adjacent to it, closer to the supply pipeline ( rice. 2). First, the back wall (thermal adapter) is screwed on, then the housing is snapped in place and written to the mounting card.

Rice. 2. Installation diagram on a cast iron sectional radiator

However, you should pay attention to the manufacturer’s availability of installation methods and mounting kits for specific Russian heating devices ( rice. 3).

Rice. 3. Installation of the heat spreader on a bimetallic radiator

Such, for example, are the “Universal” type convectors, produced by several Russian factories and widely used in standard construction. Not all manufacturers provide adequate mounting methods for these heating appliances with sufficient tamper resistance and radiator coefficients verified by independent testing. If there are no radiator coefficients for any type of device, calculations for such distributors for a given heating equipment cannot be produced.

Disadvantages of the regulatory framework

But still, the mass introduction of individual heat metering in residential buildings nationwide, especially in existing housing, is moving too slowly. In terms of individual heat energy metering, Russia has been lagging behind European countries for almost three decades.

In most European countries, starting from the late 70s, laws were passed on the mandatory installation of individual metering in all buildings without exception that have 2 or more consumers. In particular, distributors have long become a familiar element of everyday life and have proven themselves to be a simple, effective, reliable and quickly payback solution for individual heat energy metering.

Our country still has whole line Gaps in the regulatory framework that hinder the effective implementation of individual heat metering.

In accordance with the “Rules for Heat Energy Accounting”, all individual metering devices, including distributors, must be certified and entered into the State Register of Measuring Instruments. When passing tests for inclusion in the State Register in the relevant accredited bodies, distributors, they are checked for compliance with metrological criteria and other requirements of Russian standards for reliability, protection from external influences, service life, etc.

However, in Russia there are still no national requirements for these devices, enshrined in the form of GOST.

In European countries, the operating principle of distributors and everything technical requirements these are clearly described in the European standard EN 834:2013. The Russian analogue is currently the ABOK STO NP ABOK standard 4.3-2007 (EN 834:1994) “Distributors of the cost of consumed heat from room heating devices,” developed on the basis of the previous version of EN 834:1994. In all versions of the standard, the requirements for distributors and their testing are formulated more fully than in the certificates for measuring instruments issued upon entry into the State Register. Compliance with the requirements of the standard makes it possible to avoid the appearance on the market of low-quality devices or, for example, attempts to use distributors as heat meters contrary to their operating principle.

A significant part of the distributors is supplied to Russian market European manufacturers such as Ista (Doprimo distributors, rice. 4), Techem (Data valves) and Danfoss (INDIV valves), Apator (E-ITN 30 valves). All of them are certified in Europe in accordance with Standard EN 834:2013, which guarantees their compliance technical characteristics requirements of the standard and correctness of measurement and charging.

Rice. 4. Doprimo heat spreader

At the same time, domestically produced distributors also appear on the market ( rice. 5), for example, “INDIVID” (Sayany company).

Rice. 5. Heat distributor “INDIVID”

Danfoss has also developed and launched a domestic version of the automated individual metering system INDIV AMR based on INDIV-10R distributors ( rice. 6).

Rice. 6. Automated system individual accounting INDIV AMR: 1 - radiator distributor INDIV-10R; 2 - two-channel pulse adapter INDIV-X-PULSE; 3 - receiving antenna mounted with a reflector; 4 - RS 485 cable; 5 - network node INDIV-X-Multi; 6 - home concentrator INDIV-X-Total; 7 - Ethernet; 8 - remote operator computer; 9 - hot water supply and cold water risers; 10 - heating risers; 11 - thermostatic regulator

This makes it urgent to develop and approve a domestic national standard - GOST, harmonized with the corresponding international standard. The adoption of such a document will enable Russian testing laboratories to obtain the necessary accreditation and conduct a full range of tests of distributors, including determining radiator coefficients. Currently, such tests are carried out only in foreign laboratories.

Undercount formula

A number of problems during the operation of distributors are associated with shortcomings in the payment calculation formulas given in Government Decrees No. 354, 344 and 307.

In particular, the calculation formulas provide for the distribution of all readings of the communal heat meter in proportion to the readings of the distributors in the apartments. This means that if a resident turns off his radiators and heats the apartment only from the heating risers, his payment after recalculation based on the readings of the distributors will be zero. Practice shows that such cases are not uncommon. In new houses with good thermal insulation of external walls and modern double-glazed windows, heat transfer from the risers even in winter time it is often enough to maintain the temperature in the apartment at 18-20 ºС. Thus, in this case, the tenant receives heat from the risers for free. In all European rules for calculating heating payments, a share of fixed costs is adopted, which is allocated in the amount of 20-50% of the readings of a common household appliance and is distributed between apartments by area. This does not create any additional burden on residents’ payments, but simply makes the distribution of the same amount of general household consumption more equitable. According to specialist research, the share of such fixed costs in Russian systems heating can reach up to 40-50%.

The second problem associated with calculation formulas is the principle of calculating unequipped apartments. The share of such apartments should be less than 50% of the total area of ​​the house. This requirement is more or less adequate to our Russian realities. But Decree No. 344 prescribes that such apartments should be calculated by area based on average consumption per 1 m2, calculated according to the readings of a common building meter. It is logical to assume that if residents refuse individual appliances, they do not want to save and consume more heat than their neighbors with meters. They will pay the average amount, thereby underpaying for their excess consumption. As a result, their more economical neighbors will have to pay for them. According to the calculation results, some apartments with installed distributors will have to pay more than unequipped apartments. There is a clear injustice in this principle that needs to be corrected. Thus, for other types of energy resources (water and electricity), a system of increasing coefficients has been introduced for apartments without meters.

A similar system should be introduced for heating. In European practice of individual accounting, increasing coefficients for unequipped apartments are also adopted. This will create additional motivation for the mass installation of individual heat meters and distributors, and therefore will lead to a more rational use of heat in residential buildings.

Difficulties also arise in buildings with horizontal wiring, in which apartment heat meters are installed. Paragraph 42(1) of Decree No. 344 allows monthly calculations for apartment heat meters and distributors only if readings from all 100% of apartments are received for the month. If there are no readings from at least one apartment device, the calculation for the month should be made by area. At the same time, clause 53 provides for the possibility of adjusting payments for distributors taking into account individual readings at the end of the year, if it was possible to collect more than 50% of the readings (from the total area of ​​the house). No adjustments are provided for residential heat meters. Thus, residents are almost always forced to pay by area if there are heat meters in their apartments, since in real practice it is usually not possible to collect 100% of the readings. This provision of the “Rules for the Provision of Public Utilities” also needs to be adjusted.

What can be done in existing housing

The introduction of individual heat regulation and metering in the existing housing stock is stalled due to the lack of mechanisms for financing installation activities necessary equipment. On the one hand, residents themselves are not able to allocate from family budgets or attract the necessary funds for the installation of automated input units, thermostats and distributors. In many old houses with a single-pipe heating system, it is also necessary to replace radiators with the installation of closing sections of the pipeline. On the other hand, both federal and local authorities also chronically lack funds for this set of measures, especially in the context of successive crises. Obviously, it is impossible to cut this Gordian knot; therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem consistently and step by step, using all possible resources.

The easiest way to start is with those relatively new buildings that already have automated units regulation at the input and thermostats on batteries. In such buildings it is sufficient to install only distributors. At today's level of heat tariffs, the costs of purchasing and installing distributors should pay off in an average of two to four years, depending on the data collection system (visual or automated). For such houses, it is possible to legally regulate the mandatory installation of individual appliances with the use of increasing coefficients for payments for apartments that refuse installation.

For more neglected houses, heating upgrades must be carried out in stages, perhaps even over 10-15 years. This is exactly how the thermal modernization of residential buildings in Eastern Europe took place, which resulted in 40-50% heat savings in the housing stock. Some activities should be included in major repairs; the other part could be implemented within the framework of energy service contracts. Support from the state is also needed in the form of guarantees and compensation for interest on targeted loans, tax breaks for management companies that carry out such events in houses, and other possible mechanisms of financial support and incentives. The main thing is that the policy in this direction must be consistent, planned and calculated for the future. Only in this way can we overcome the technological backwardness in the heat supply of the existing housing stock and give residents the opportunity to save heat and pay for the actual volume of consumption.

Article from the magazine “Aqua-Term”, No. 5 (87), 2015.