Varmekort

Varmekort is a term used in some Nordic countries to describe a card-based system for paying and controlling heating in buildings. The card is a smart payment and control device that stores value or is linked to a user account. In district heating or individual heating setups, residents or tenants present the card at a reader to authorize heat delivery. The system either deducts preloaded credit or charges based on recorded consumption, frequently via a heat meter or integrated thermostat.

Varmekort systems are most common in municipal or cooperative housing where energy usage is metered at the apartment or zone level. They aim to improve price transparency, encourage energy saving, and distribute heating costs according to usage. Some implementations use prepaid cards, while others are postpaid and billed monthly. Many modern schemes are integrated with digital apps or online portals to view remaining credit, consumption, and invoices.

Adoption varies by country and municipality. Critics point to administrative costs, potential inconvenience if the card is lost or damaged, and privacy concerns related to energy usage data. Proponents argue that varmekort makes energy budgets predictable for households and supports efficient heat distribution.

From a regulatory perspective, data handling typically falls under national data privacy and energy-market rules, while housing associations or utilities manage the accounts and payment flows.