Types of metering in Group Heating Schemes:

Domestic - meters are installed in each dwelling and used to record individual heat and / or other utility usage as the basis for charging according to consumption.

Industrial and Commercial - meters are used in Communal or District Heating Systems to identify the base load to provide the operator with information such as demand and operating efficiencies and also as a basis for charging Commercial or Industrial consumers using the Heating Scheme.

Main Components
Industrial or Commercial heat meter is generally made up of three components:

>A flow transducer matched to both flow and operating temperature of the system.
>A pair of matched temperature probes generally either PT100 or PT500 resistance.
>An energy processor or integrator to calculate the heat flow. This information may be linked to remote reading systems or Building Energy Management Systems.

Correct selection and sizing of meters is important to meet operating conditions (pipe size does not always determine meter size). Maximum and minimum flow conditions and heat loads need to be known. Some meters have restricted installation positions, which can affect the type of meter chosen.

It is important that where meters are being used as a basis for charging they are commissioned following installation. An annual calibration check of the processor and probes is carried out to maintain the integrity of the meter installation, particularly in Commercial and Industrial applications where high demand will affect the heat accounts generated.