FAQ

Ukraine has one of the highest levels of heat energy consumption in Europe, making the adoption of energy-efficient technologies a crucial step towards energy independence. According to the Law of Ukraine "On Commercial Metering of Thermal Energy and Water Supply," every consumer has the right to pay only for the heat they actually use. This incentivizes efficient energy use and reduces heating costs. Ukrainian legislation strongly supports the installation of individual heat meters and heat cost allocators. The legal basis for mandatory installation of such metering systems is outlined in the Law of Ukraine "On Commercial Metering of Thermal Energy and Water Supply" dated June 7, 2018 (with amendments). Additionally, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the rules for providing heating services under Resolution No. 830 dated August 21, 2019, which regulates the process of service provision and contract signing. Moreover, state support, local programs, and the Energy Efficiency Fund’s work make this process more accessible to over 32,000 Homeowner Associations (HOAs), which need to modernize their buildings.

Most apartment buildings in Ukraine use vertical heating distribution, where the risers run through the apartments and are connected to radiators. Installing individual heat meters in such buildings is often technically impossible. The solution to this problem came in the 1980s in Europe with the introduction of heat cost allocators, also known as "radiator meters." Initially, they were simple evaporative devices, but modern allocators are highly sophisticated electronic devices with the ability for remote data reading. They are installed on radiators to measure the temperature differential, which allows heat consumption to be accounted for in buildings with vertical heating distribution.

A heat cost allocator is a compact electronic device for individual heat metering in apartment buildings. These devices form part of the method for allocating heating costs, approved by the Ministry of Regional Development’s Order No. 315 of November 22, 2018. By using these devices, residents can pay fairly for the heat they actually consume, as the allocators accurately record the amount of heat delivered by each radiator. Modern heat cost allocators with radio communication allow for fast and accurate data collection, facilitating the distribution of heating costs.

Installing heat cost allocators on radiators is a critical tool for individual heat metering. Their installation helps reduce heating costs by giving residents the ability to control their heat consumption. If more than 50% of apartments in a building are equipped with allocators and thermostats on the radiators, it can significantly reduce the overall heating demand. This requires the presence of a central heat meter for the entire building. The installation is quick, and maintenance is carried out by certified companies.

The key parameter that heat cost allocators measure is the temperature differential (also known as the temperature head). This refers to the difference between the surface temperature of the radiator and the air temperature in the room. The greater the temperature differential, the more heat is transferred from the radiator to the room. Heat cost allocators use this differential to calculate the amount of heat delivered by each radiator. In this way, the allocators precisely measure how much heat is consumed, providing a fair distribution of heating costs among the residents.

• Heat meters in apartments measure the actual heat consumption of a specific apartment and are used only in buildings with horizontal heating distribution. The readings from heat meters are used to calculate the exact cost of heating, provided that a central heat meter is installed in the building.
• Heat cost allocators measure the temperature differential of radiators and distribute the heating costs among apartments. They can be used in buildings with any heating system, but they are particularly useful in buildings with vertical heating distribution. Readings are taken from all the radiators in an apartment and are used to calculate heating costs.

A heat cost allocator measures the temperature of the radiator and compares it with the air temperature around it. Based on these measurements, the device calculates the radiator's temperature differential and records it in specific units. The larger the difference between the radiator’s temperature and the room air temperature, the higher the recorded heat usage.

If the radiator is completely turned off, the heat cost allocator will show zero values, as no heat is being transferred. In this case, heating costs will only include fixed charges for common building needs.

This could happen if the thermostatic valve does not completely shut off the heat flow. To fully turn off the radiator, a shutoff valve should be used. Additionally, drafts or poorly sealed windows can cause cold air to flow around the radiator, leading to increased readings..

Heat cost allocators are equipped with both mechanical and electronic seals. If the device is tampered with, an error message "oPEn" will appear on the screen. Removing the device breaks both seals, and the allocator will need recalibration.

If the allocator is covered, it will automatically switch to single-sensor mode, recording only the constant air temperature near the radiator. However, this will not reduce heating costs and will only decrease the radiator's heating efficiency. It is not recommended to cover heat cost allocators.

Heat cost allocators come with an 18-month warranty and have a service life of 10 years. If the device breaks due to mechanical damage or after its service life, repairs are done at the customer's expense.

The display shows the heat consumption readings in specific units. The higher the reading, the larger the portion of the building's overall heat consumption that will be attributed to the apartment.

Press the service button repeatedly to see the readings, distributor parameters and temperature of the heating device.

Current readings

Readings accumulated since the date or day of the beginning of the reporting period

Readings for the previous reporting period

It is these readings that are involved in the recalculation

Alphanumeric code

Special function

The first 4 digits of the distributor serial number

The last 4 digits of the distributor serial number

Current temperature of the heater

Date or day of the beginning of the reporting period

On this date or day, the device resets to zero, transfers the readings for the previous reporting period to memory and begins to accumulate readings for the next reporting period

Current Date