• Domestic meters are installed in each dwelling in the scheme and used to record individual heat and/or other utility usage as the basis for charging according to real consumption.
• Industrial and commercial meters are used in Communal or District Heating (DH) Systems to identify the base load to provide the operator with information such as demand and operating efficiencies. It is also the basis for charging commercial or industrial consumers using the Heating Scheme.

Components Parts

Industrial or commercial heat meters are generally made up of three components:

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

Either Turbine or Electromagnetic Flow Meters are generally used although other types are available such as Ultrasonic, Vortex or Orifice Plate Meters and are used where system operating conditions are severe.

Selection and sizing of meters

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.

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 effect the type of meter chosen.