Blog article: Remote heat meter reading – compliance with the EED
Requirements relating to energy efficiency and data access in the supply of heating are constantly evolving.
The EU’s new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) requires both newly installed as well as pre-existing heat meters to be read monthly from the end of 2026. This blog post explains why remote heat meter reading is worthwhile and how to implement it.
Smart heat meters – background info
Remote heat meter reading enables energy use to be recorded accurately and regularly. This technology cuts operating costs, optimises heating systems and ensures compliance with legal requirements. Heat meters that can be read remotely also improve the quality of data and make energy management a lot easier.
EED at a glance: What changes from 2026
In the medium term, remote heat meter reading will become a legal requirement. This is specifically stipulated in the new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), which requires monthly readings to be available to all customers from the end of 2026. This not only applies to newly installed meters, but also covers pre-existing meters, which will have to be converted.
Up to now, heat meter readings have generally been done manually once a year, but this is no longer economically viable given the requirement for monthly readings. The automation of meter readings is therefore inevitable, but it is an investment that can pay for itself within two to three years.
The advantages of automated remote reading of heat meters go far beyond simply meeting legal requirements. The data collected can be used not just for billing, but also for optimising the network.
Remote heat meter reading can help energy suppliers cut costs, for example by detecting leaks and identifying so-called bad consumers – those buildings where the difference between the flow and return temperature needs to be optimised to achieve an efficient reduction in the heat supplied for heating and hot water.
Switch to smart heat meters with Elvaco
To meet these new requirements, Elvaco offers a flexible product portfolio that covers all common meter measurement technologies, including
This varied range of transmission technologies ensures that the right meter reading technology is available for every customer and will integrate seamlessly with existing processes and hardware structures. A particular highlight in the range Elvaco offers is the ability to retrofit existing heat meters quickly and easily with NB-IoT modules or LoRaWAN modules.
This Plug & Play solution makes switching to remote reading efficient and hassle-free. The case study of Enertec Hameln is just one successful example that shows how the NB-IoT modules work in practice and how they create added value.
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Conclusion
The introduction of remote heat meter reading is not merely a way of adapting to the new legal framework of the EED, it also represents an opportunity to increase efficiency in the supply of heating. Energy suppliers that are quick to adopt this technology can optimise their operations in the medium term and cut costs.
FAQs about remote heat meter reading
What are the requirements of the new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) with regard to heat meters?
The EED stipulates that from the end of 2026, all heat meters, both newly installed and pre-existing, must provide monthly readings. The aim is to improve energy efficiency and standardise access to data in the supply of heating.
Is it still economically viable to read heat meters manually?
As the EED requires monthly readings, the previous manual methods, where readings are taken annually, are no longer practical. Automation in the form of remote reading significantly reduces workload and usually pays for itself within two to three years through operating cost savings.
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