What is a heat metering unit?

It is crucial to know how much heat you are using in your home in order to control energy consumption. A heat metering unit is useful in this situation. However, what precisely is it? Let’s dissect it.

A device used to measure the amount of thermal energy consumed in a building is called a heat metering unit, sometimes referred to as a heat meter or energy meter. You can precisely track and manage your heating consumption with it, just like you would with a smart meter for heat.

These units are usually connected to individual radiators or your central heating system and installed as part of a heating system. They function by measuring the temperature differential between the incoming and outgoing water as well as the hot water flow rate passing through your pipes.

What makes a heat metering unit essential, then? To begin with, it assists you in monitoring your energy consumption, providing you with information about potential areas for improvement to cut costs and minimize waste.

Thermal unit. Heat metering unit. Schemes of thermal units

December 21, 2015.

A thermal unit is a collection of components that performs energy accounting, coolant volume (mass) measurement, registration, and parameter control. In terms of structure, the metering unit is made up of several modules or components that are linked to the pipeline system.

Purpose

The following are the functions of a heat metering unit:

• Control of rational utilization of heat carrier and heat energy.
• Control of thermal and hydraulic modes of heat consumption and heat supply systems.
• Documentation of heat carrier parameters: pressure, temperature and volume (mass).
• Implementation of mutual financial settlement between the consumer and the organization engaged in the supply of heat energy.

Main elements

A heat unit is made up of various devices and metering devices that work together to fulfill one or more functions at once. These functions include mass (volume) storage, accumulation, measurement, and display of data as well as pressure, temperature, and operating time of the circulating fluid.

A heat meter is typically made up of three components: a primary flow converter, a heat calculator, and a thermal resistance converter. Depending on the primary converter’s model, the heat meter can also have filters and pressure sensors installed. Primary transducers with the following measurement options—vortex, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, and tachometric—can be used with heat meters.

Device of the metering unit

Comprises the following fundamental components that make up the heat energy metering unit:

• Shut-off valves.
• Heat meter.
• Thermal converter.
• Mud trap.
• Flow meter.
• Return pipe temperature sensor.
• Additional equipment.

Heat meter

The fundamental component of a heat energy unit should be the heat meter. It is situated near the balance of ownership of the heating network, at the heat input of the system.

Heat networks add losses to the meter readings in the event that the metering device is installed remotely from this boundary (to account for the heat released by the surface of the pipelines on the section from the balance separation boundary to the heat meter).

To comprehend the purpose of a heat metering unit, picture it as the intelligent gadget that monitors the amount of heat your house uses. It functions as the personal accountant for warmth in your home. This clever device calculates the heat output for heating, usually expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Accurate tracking of energy usage is essential for better monitoring and management of your heating costs. Consider it the energy watchdog for your house; it will assist you in monitoring your consumption and, in the end, reduce your heating costs.

Functions of the heat meter

Any kind of device needs to be able to do the following:

1. Measuring automatically:

• Duration of operation in the error zone.
• Operating time at the applied supply voltage.
• Overpressure of the circulating liquid in the piping system.
• Water temperature in the pipelines of hot, cold water and heat supply systems.
• Flow rate of the heat carrier in the hot water and heat supply pipelines.

• Consumed heat quantity.
• Volume of heat carrier flowing through the pipelines.
• Heat input power.
• Temperature difference of circulating liquid in the supply and return pipelines (cold water supply pipelines).

Shut-off valves and strainer

Shut-off devices disconnect the home’s heating system from the heating network. The dirt trap shields the heat meter’s and the heating network’s internal components from the dirt in the heating medium.

Thermal converter

This device is placed in an oil-filled sleeve after the strainer and shut-off valves. The pipeline sleeve is welded into place or screwed onto.

Flow meter

A flow converter is a device that is installed in the heating unit and measures flow. It is advised to install special gate valves on the measuring section (before and after the flow meter) to facilitate service and repair tasks.

The heat carrier enters the supply pipeline, travels through the flow meter, and ultimately enters the home’s heating system. The cooled liquid then travels back through the pipeline in the opposite direction.

Thermo sensor

This apparatus, along with the flow meter and shut-off valves, is installed on the return pipeline. This configuration makes it possible to measure the circulating fluid’s flow rate at both the inlet and the outlet in addition to its temperature.

Heat meters are equipped with flow meters and temperature sensors, enabling the determination of the amount of heat consumed, data archiving and storage, parameter registration, and visual display.

The heat calculator is typically kept in a separate cabinet that is open to the public. Furthermore, extra components such as a modem or an uninterruptible power supply can be mounted inside the cabinet. Extra devices facilitate the processing and management of data transmitted remotely by the metering unit.

Basic schemes of heating systems

Thus, we must first examine schematics for heating systems before turning our attention to heat pump schematics. The most well-liked of these is the upper distribution system’s design, which directs coolant into the upper distribution system’s main pipeline via the main riser. The main riser, which is typically found in the attic room, branches out to secondary risers before being distributed to the heating elements. In order to conserve space, one-story buildings should implement such a plan.

Additionally, there are heating system schemes that use bottom distribution. In this instance, the main pipeline that supplies warm water is located in the basement room, which is also where the heat unit is situated. It is important to remember that, whichever scheme is chosen, it is advised to place an expansion tank in the building’s attic.

Schemes of heating units

When discussing thermal unit schemes, it should be mentioned that the following types are the most prevalent:

• Thermal unit – scheme with parallel single-stage hot water connection. This scheme is the most common and simple. In this case, the hot water supply is connected in parallel to the same network as the heating system of the building. The heat carrier is supplied to the heater from the external network, then the cooled liquid flows directly into the heat pipeline in reverse order. The main disadvantage of such a system, compared to other types, is the large consumption of network water, which is used to organize hot water supply.

• Scheme of the heat point with consecutive two-stage connection of hot water. This scheme can be divided into two stages. The first stage is responsible for the return pipe of the heating system, the second – for the supply pipe. The main advantage that thermal units connected according to this scheme have is the absence of a special supply of network water, which significantly reduces its consumption. As for the disadvantages – it is the need to install a system of automatic regulation to adjust and correct the distribution of heat. It is recommended to use such connection in case the ratio of maximum heat consumption for heating and hot water supply is in the range from 0.2 to 1.

• Heating unit – scheme with mixed two-stage connection of the hot water heater. This is the most versatile and flexible in settings connection scheme. It can be used not only for a normal temperature schedule, but also for an increased temperature schedule. The main distinguishing feature is that the connection of the heat exchanger to the supply pipe is not in parallel, but in series. The further principle of construction is similar to the second scheme of the heating unit. Heat units connected according to the third scheme need additional consumption of network water for the heating element.

Procedure for installing a metering unit

It is crucial to create project documentation and carry out a site survey prior to installing a heat metering unit. Professionals who design heating systems perform all required computations, choose equipment, control and measurement devices, and an appropriate heat meter.

Once the design documentation is developed, the organization involved in the heat energy supply must be consulted for approval. The current design standards and heat metering regulations demand this.

Heat metering units can only be installed safely with approval. Installation includes electrical installation work, tapping shut-off devices into pipelines, and modules. After sensors and flow meters are connected to the calculator, the electrical installation is finished by starting the calculator to measure heat energy.

The heat energy metering device is then adjusted, which entails verifying the calculator’s programming and system operability. Following this, the item is given to the parties responsible for approving it for commercial accounting, which is carried out by a special commission that is represented by the heat supply company. It should be mentioned that such a metering unit needs to run for a certain amount of time—varying from seven days to seventy-two hours depending on the organization.

It will be required to set up remote data recording and monitoring from heat meters in order to combine multiple metering units into a single dispatching network.

Approval for operation

Before the thermal unit is permitted to operate, the factory number of the metering device listed in its passport, the measuring range of the heat meter’s set parameters, the presence of seals, and the installation quality are all examined to ensure that they match the range of measured readings.

The following circumstances forbid using the heat supply unit:

• The presence of taps in pipelines, which are not provided for by the project documentation.
• Operation of the metering device outside the accuracy norms.
• Presence of mechanical damage on the device and its elements.
• Breach of seals on the device.
• Unauthorized interference in the operation of the thermal unit.

What is a thermal energy metering unit in heating systems?

Maintaining a standard temperature in every usable room of the apartment building without requiring residents to connect an independent heating system depends on the proper project design and equipment installation.

Frequent verification of the data obtained from the specified apparatus enables the eradication of potential flaws in the previously constructed heating scheme or its malfunctions.

1 What is a thermal energy metering unit?

A thermal unit is a collection of devices whose installation is intended to provide the fundamental energy accounting and control, coolant volume, and parameter registration and control.

Thermal energy measuring apparatus

An automatic module called a thermal energy metering unit is installed in the piping system to provide accounting data for the project of heating resource operation and regulation.

1.1 Where heat metering units are installed?

In most typical apartment buildings with shared heating systems, thermal unit installation and maintenance are done.

In turn, the following functions are carried out by heat metering units installed in apartment buildings:

• checking and regulating the operation of the heat carrier and heat energy;
• checking and regulation of hydraulic and heating systems;
• recording of heat carrier data such as temperature, pressure and volume.
• monetary calculation of the consumer and the heat energy supplier, after the verification of the obtained data has been carried out.

Setting up heat metering devices

Design should be considered when installing heating equipment. that the users of the apartment building—in this case, the tenants—face certain financial costs as a result of the resources used to power the central heating system.

If the metering equipment is inspected and maintained by professionals on time, with high-quality installation of apparatus and piping, the apartment building can save expenses and preserve the functionality of the built unit in accordance with the original plan for an extended period of time.

2 Device and schematic diagram of the heating unit

The installation of the thermal unit, which is included in the preliminary project for the communal systems of apartment buildings, consists of a complex set of tools and apparatus. A device of this kind can be used for one or more purposes, like:

1. Measuring the amount and mass of thermal energy, its pressure, the temperature of the liquid circulating through the pipeline and the time of functioning.
2. Accumulation and storage of this information on a local medium.
3. Displaying it on metering devices.

Apartment building heating systems are inspected, adjusted, and maintained based on the data collected.

A meter is an example of a metering device, and its scheme includes:

1. Resistance thermocouple.
2. Heat meter.
3. Primary flow converter.

The heat meter’s composition may include filters and pressure sensors, depending on the type of primary transducer installed (with vortex, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, or tachometric variants of measurement).

The heating unit’s circuit diagram

The following components make up the heat metering unit:

1. Shut-off valves.
2. Heat meter.
3. Thermal converter.
4. dirt trap.
5. Flow meter.
6. Heat sensor of return pipeline.
7. Additional equipment.

In turn, installing the heat energy metering system in the apartment building necessitates the following basic prerequisites:

• the necessity to install the scheme of metering equipment exclusively at the boundaries of the balance belonging section of pipelines in places closest to the main gate valves of the heating source;
• prohibition on organizing a project of heat transfer medium withdrawal for personal needs in the communal heat supply system;
• regulation of average hourly and average daily parameters of the heat carrier are made according to the readings of the metering equipment;
• metering devices are mounted on the return pipelines of the mains and are placed up to the connection point of the sub-bit piping.

Competent services conduct competent inspections of the equipment’s installation and operation in order to achieve competent regulation and control of the equipment mentioned.

2.1 Who installs and maintains the thermal unit in apartment buildings?

Central heating (CH) and hot water supply (HWS) are run in multi-family buildings; the main supply pipeline for these systems is housed in the basements and is fitted with shut-off valves. The latter enables the internal heating supply system to be disconnected from the external network.

The thermal unit itself has an elevator-like device built into its design, along with dirt traps, shut-off valves, control, and measurement devices. Permanent maintenance is generally necessary. One such piece of equipment is the mud filter, a steel pipe with a diameter of Du=159–200 mm that is used to collect dirt from the main pipeline in order to prevent contamination of heating devices and pipelines.

The work of locksmiths maintaining the residential building and installing the thermal unit, along with cleaning it, satisfies the needs of the housing and communal services organization.

2.2 Thermal energy metering unit (video)

Schematic diagram of the elevator heating unit

In central heating systems, the heat carrier travels via the heating unit and then directly to the radiator sections in each apartment and room. In this type of unit, the water is heated to the precise temperature, and the proper operation of the elevator heating unit’s scheme ensures balance. Such an elevator can be found in the basement of any multi-story building that is heated by the central mains.

Question	What is a heat metering unit?
Answer	A heat metering unit is a device used to measure the amount of heat energy consumed in a building. It helps track how much heat is used for heating purposes, allowing for fair distribution of heating costs among residents or tenants.

In order to optimize energy consumption and minimize utility costs, homeowners must have a thorough understanding of heat metering units. These tools give homeowners and energy providers useful information by precisely measuring the quantity of heat used in their homes.

The capacity of heat metering units to encourage energy efficiency is one of its main advantages. Homeowners can pinpoint areas where energy is being wasted and upgrade heating systems or insulation by keeping a close eye on how much heat they use. This contributes to a more sustainable future by saving money and lowering carbon emissions.

Heat metering units also encourage open communication between homeowners and energy providers. Accurate and transparent data on heat consumption makes billing more equitable. In the long run, this transparency helps both sides by promoting trust and responsible energy use.

Moreover, the implementation of heat metering units is consistent with larger initiatives to mitigate climate change. These gadgets contribute slightly but significantly to lowering overall energy consumption and minimizing environmental effect by promoting efficiency and conservation. The collective impact becomes more significant as people adopt sustainable practices on an individual and community level.

To sum up, heat metering systems have a lot to offer the environment, energy companies, and homeowners. These gadgets are essential to contemporary home heating systems because they not only increase energy efficiency but also promote transparency and sustainability initiatives. Through comprehending and adopting this technology, people can proactively move towards a future that is more eco-friendly, accountable, and efficient.

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