A centralised heating system with risers permits autonomous temperature regulation in each housing unit: to quantify consumptions and allocate costs proportionally with each user’s actual consumption, TIEMME suggests the installation of a specific instrument, the HEAT COST ALLOCATOR.

What is a HEAT COST ALLOCATOR?
A heat cost allocator is an electronic heat meter that, installed on each individual radiating element, measures the actual consumption and communicates the data via radio.

Installation, which should be carried out by specialised technicians, is very fast and simple and does not require any wet trades or wiring.

What is required?

All the radiating elements must be equipped with a Tiemme thermostatic kit composed of:

• Valve
• Lockshield valve
• Thermostatic head (for room temperature regulation)

The valve interrupts the hot water flow until the required temperature is reached and opens it again when required. The opening/closing reduces the generator’s operation which consequently results in energy saving.

How are costs allocated?

At the end of the season a smaller part of the heating expenses (to be decided by the body corporate but typically included between 20% and 40%) is allocated on the basis of property quota, to compensate condominium expenses and heat losses of the heating system. The remaining part is allocated among the housing units proportionally on the basis of the data supplied by the allocators.

Advantages of cost allocation:

• Energy saving
• Comfort: regulation based on personal needs
• Allocation fairness: you only pay for your actual use
• Environmental protection: reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
• Investment: economically autonomous heating system = added value to the building
• Tax deductions: 36% of the initial investment is recovered in 10 years
• Reduced VAT rate: 10% VAT for building renovations
• Safety: the use of an only generator permits periodic scheduled checks
• Energy efficiency: considering the same amount of combustible, a centralised boiler supplies a greater amount of heat than the sum of all the autonomous boilers put together
• Operating hours: each user is free to manage his own system.

When are readings made?

Consumption data reading is made at the end of the winter season. This operation is carried out without entering the single units and, therefore, without disturbing the tenants. A summary consumption table will be completed with the data and will allow correct allocation of the heating costs. On specific request, intermediate readings can be made with the scope of monitoring the heating cost trends and correct system operation.