Lämmönkulutusmittarit

Lämmönkulutusmittarit, often referred to as heat cost allocators or heat meters, are devices used in multi-unit buildings to measure and distribute heating costs among individual dwelling units. Their primary purpose is to provide a fair and accurate method for billing heating expenses based on actual consumption rather than solely on floor area or volume. This encourages energy saving by making each resident aware of their heat usage.

There are two main types of lämmönkulutusmittarit: evaporative and electronic. Evaporative systems use a liquid that evaporates at a rate proportional to the radiator's temperature and operating time. The amount of evaporated liquid is then measured to determine heat consumption. Electronic systems, on the other hand, use temperature sensors to measure the radiator's surface temperature and the room temperature. These measurements are then processed by a microprocessor to calculate heat units.

Installation of lämmönkulutusmittarit typically involves attaching a sensor to each radiator within a dwelling. Regular readings are taken, either manually by a service company or automatically transmitted wirelessly. The data collected is then used by a specialized company to calculate each unit's share of the building's total heating costs. This system promotes transparency and can lead to significant energy savings as residents are incentivized to reduce their heat usage. Building regulations in many countries mandate the use of such metering systems to ensure equitable cost allocation and promote energy efficiency.