Heat metering solutions

While a number of technologies exist for reading energy meters, our experience has shown that remote meter reading is by far the simplest and most effective way of gathering accurate readings.

Methods of reading heat meters

Radio Metering

This is the most efficient and flexible system available with a module installed in slot 1 of the heat meter that allows wireless reading. The energy readings are transmitted by radio and can be captured by 'Walk-by' or 'Drive-by' using the HYDRO-RADIO receiver.

Readings can be carried out on a daily basis if desired, with the receiver using Bluetooth to transfer this data to the HYDRO-POCKET handheld data acquisition unit. The information is then delivered in a database format that makes it available for analysis and billing.

This system is also effective when reading several meters across a number of building, such as a tower block or housing estate.

Other key benefits:

• High availability
• Programmable data output
• Central data storage
• Allows transmission of multiple utilities

M-Bus Metering

This is an exceptionally cost-effective way of collecting readings from groups of meters and can also be used to form a local area network that addresses individual meters.

The M-bus module is installed in slot 1 within the heat meter and transmits the energy readings via cables running to a M-Bus Master, positioned at a central point such as the energy centre, which can be several kilometres away.

The M-Bus system offers high levels of data integrity and can connect up over 200 devices using a single two-wire cable.

Other key benefits:

• Robust
• Direct wired communication with meter
• Centralised data store
• Access by PC / Modem / LAN

Radio / M-Bus Hybrid

It is also possible to combine the radio and M-Bus technologies to provide a hybrid solution. This is an option when clients specify the need to mix and match the ways meters are read.

Pre-payment metering solutions

EasyPay Pre-payment

Heat meters can also be used in conjunction with pre-payments systems, allowing customers to pay for heat on an actual consumption basis.

Based on smart card technology, the 'EasyPay' Pre-Payment Unit (PPU) allows customers to budget their energy expenditure by charging a smart card at a local shop and transferring this to a Domestic Credit Meter (DCM) connected to the HIU.

From our clients' point of view, the 'EasyPay' system has helped to reduce bad debt among its customers, because once any credit and emergency credit has been exhausted then an additional motorised valve on the HIU will shut off the primary heat supply.

As with Vital Energi's other meters, the system can be remotely read reducing the need to visit premises to physically take meter readings.

This type of technology also benefits customers by allowing them to save up heat units during summer month.

Pre-payment meters are available as a managed service from Vital Energi.