Heating in block of flats: remote meter reading and monthly consumption reports are on the way
From 1 January 2027, meters in buildings with a central heating system must be capable of remote reading. The aim is to make consumption metering more efficient
At least once a month. This is how often residents of blocks of flats with a central heating system – that is, a single system supplying several residential units – will be notified of their consumption. The data will be recorded remotely, without the need to be physically present at the meter.
This new provision is introduced by Article 9 of Legislative Decree 102/2014, incorporated into Legislative Decree 73/2020 to implement European legislation on energy efficiency. Whilst the law is already in force and applies to devices installed after 25 October 2020, the requirement for remote meter reading – the remote recording of consumption – applies to those installed previously that do not yet support this functionality.
Meters and sub-meters that measure consumption of heating, cooling and domestic hot water consumption in buildings served by a centralised system, as well as individual metering systems installed on heating units – namely heat cost allocators on radiators – must comply with the regulations by 1 January 2027. They may be modified by installing a remote-reading system, or replaced if they are not compatible.
In the event of substantial costs arising from compliance with the law, the property manager will inform the flat owners at the owners’ meeting.
This change does not affect individual electricity and gas meters. Homes with their own boiler, where tenants pay directly according to their own consumption, are therefore exempt.
