Condominium: individualization of heating and cooling consumption

Obligation to individualize heating and cooling costs

Individualization of heating and cooling costs is mandatory for all collective building for residential use or mixed use who has common heating or central cooling installation and whose consumption is greater than 80/m²/year.

These condominiums must therefore install a device that measures the quantity of heat, cold or hot water supplied to each private premises (in particular apartment or commercial premises). This installation allows each occupant to pay only for the energy it has consumed.

The objective of the individualization of costs is thus to make the occupants responsible for their actual consumption, to allow a fair distribution between the co-owners and to limit energy waste.

Exceptions to the obligation to individualize heating and cooling costs

The obligation to individualize heating and cooling costs shall not apply to:

• To the homes
• If the consumption values of the building are below a certain regulatory threshold. For example, for heating costs, there is a derogation if the consumption does not exceed 80 {circumflex over (x)}/m² per year.
• In case of technical impossibility to measure the heat consumed by each room or to install an apparatus allowing each occupant to modulate the heat supplied (for example, heat emission by heating slab without possible measurement by room, heat distribution by single tubes in series between each emitter, non-reversible hot air heating system, emitters operating with steam, heating installation equipped with batteries or finned tubes, hot water convectors, or fan convectors when each room does not have an individual heating loop)
• If the costs of installing the devices are disproportionate to the expected savings.

In this case, to know the heating or cooling consumption of the building and to distribute it among the occupants, the trustee will:

1. Calculate the average energy consumption of the building over the last 3 years (excluding consumption related to the production of domestic hot water)
2. Divide this amount by the living space of each batch.

Devices for measuring the amount of heat

The individual thermal energy (CET) meters shall be installed as a priority in buildings. They are placed at the entrance of the dwellings. They indicate the actual heating consumption of each dwelling.

If it is not possible to install TECs, heating cost allocators (RFCs) are then set up. They are placed directly on each radiator of the housing. They measure the temperature differences between the radiator and the room to calculate the amount of heat actually consumed in the housing.

Apparatus for measuring the amount of cold

The law does not specify the types of measuring devices to be used. The only obligation is toinstall a device measuring the amount of cold supplied to each privately occupied premises.

Cases of technical and economic impossibility

Some condominiums are facing technical impossibility which prevent:

• Install of measuring devices to calculate individual consumption
• To install a device allowing occupants to modulate the heat provided by collective heating.

THEeconomic impossibility is justified if the installation of individual meters or cost allocators entails an excessive cost in relation to the energy savings envisaged by the condominium.

The trustee must then write a note justifying this technical impossibility or excessive cost. This note should specify the alternative method used to estimate the amount of heat or cold consumed by each dwelling.

1Check whether the building is subject to the obligation to individualize heating and cooling costs

First, the trustee of the condominium shall verify:

• Whether it is technically possible to install devices for measuring individual consumption of cold and/or heat
• Whether it is cost-effective to install individual cold and/or heat consumption measuring devices
• If the average consumption of the building over the last 3 years is below or above the threshold of 80 */m².

2Voting the works for installing individual consumption measuring devices

In the event that the building is subject to the obligation to individualize heating and cooling costs, the trustee must then convening a general meeting.

THEagenda shall include questions relating to:

• the installation of devices for individualizing heating and cooling costs,
• the choice of the service provider, upon presentation of a quote.

These resolutions are voted and adopted at the absolute majority (so-called majority of Article 25).

3Install of thermostatic valves

Before installing devices to individualize heating costs in the building, each co-owner must put in place on the heat emitters (towel warmer, radiator) of the housing, members to regulate the internal temperature of the room (thermostatic taps).

4Install of devices for measuring individual consumption

Finally, the devices for measuring the individual consumption of heat or cold will be installed, in accordance with what was voted in the general assembly of co-owners.

Individual billing

The individualization of heating and cooling costs makes it possible to draw up invoices specific to each dwelling.

This billing shall include:

• The individual fees calculated from the readings of the individual consumption measuring devices placed at the entrance or in the dwellings
• The common costs related to energy and fuel use in common areas or common facilities. These are common loads distributed among the occupants.

Information for co-owners

The trustee transmits to each condominium:

• One assessment of consumption of heat, cold and domestic hot water of its private premises. This information is transmitted monthly.
• One briefing note annual which details its consumption of heat, cold and domestic hot water in its housing.