Heat cost allocators
Coefficients and regulations
How allocator coefficients are set, why the reading in the bill differs from the one on the display, and how to find your coefficients in istaonline.
Under Cabinet Regulation No. 524 (MK524), the allocator manufacturer and the company calculating heating costs must ensure:
allocators manufactured to EU standards 2014/30/EU, 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU and 2014/65/EU;
allocators installed (including setting the output coefficient) in line with standard LVS EN 834:2013 “Heat cost allocators for the determination of the consumption of room heating radiators. Appliances with electrical energy supply”;
the coefficient for the apartment’s position in the building set in line with Annex 22 of MK524;
the percentage split over the billing period based on average outdoor temperature, in line with Annex 21 of MK524.
Example
An allocator display shows a reading of 100.
If the allocator’s coefficient is 0.921, the reading is multiplied by it and appears in the calculation as 92.10.
If the coefficient is 1.45, the reading appears in the calculation as 145.00.
So, depending on the coefficient, the reading in the calculation changes and does not match what the resident sees on the allocator display. The percentage split is based on data from klimats.meteo.lv.
How to find your allocator coefficients in istaonline
1. Sign in and open “Patēriņš”
Go to www.istaonline.dk, sign in with your username and password, and click the blue “Patēriņš” (Consumption) link.
Open istaonline
2. Open the readings
Click the red icon with the arrow.
3. Choose the heating period
Choose the heating period you want to see.
4. Review the data
For the chosen period you can see each allocator’s reading date, the reading (matching the allocator display), the combined output and position coefficient (Factor), and the reading after the coefficient is applied.
Ways of setting output coefficients
Three methods are commonly used to set the output coefficients of heat cost allocators. Which one is chosen depends on the information available, regulation and the installer’s practice.
1. Manufacturer method
Uses the radiator manufacturer’s technical data: the heat output (W) at a standard temperature difference, such as ΔT = 50 K, is compared with that of a reference radiator.
Advantages: accurate, scientifically based data; suitable for many radiator types and models.
Drawbacks: data for old radiators is not always available or is hard to find.
2. Measurement method
Real temperature measurements are taken on the radiator with thermometers or heat-flow sensors and compared with other radiators, using previously verified data.
Advantages: can be tailored to each radiator; useful for older radiators without manufacturer data.
Drawbacks: expensive and time-consuming; can be subjective if too few measurements are taken.
3. Standard-table method
Coefficients are assigned from national or installer standards and tables of typical radiators — by radiator type (cast iron, steel, aluminium), size and shape — without individual measurements.
Advantages: quick and simple, with no complex calculations or measurements.
Drawbacks: less accurate because it uses averages; ignores how the individual radiator actually performs.
The manufacturer method for RK Birojs allocators
The coefficients of all allocators installed by RK Birojs are set with the manufacturer method. It is the most accurate, because it is based on the radiator manufacturer’s technical data on heat output. The coefficient is calculated by the allocator manufacturer ISTA by comparing the output of the specific radiator with that of a reference radiator, and is used to convert allocator readings into proportional heat consumption.
How is the coefficient calculated?
K = P radiator / P reference radiator, where P radiator is the nominal output (W) of the specific radiator at a standard temperature difference (for example ΔT = 50 K), and P reference radiator is the output of a standard reference radiator used as the baseline. The reference is usually a standard radiator whose output is defined in output tables.
Data needed
The radiator model and manufacturer
The heat output (W) stated by the manufacturer, for example at ΔT = 50 K or 60 K
Dimensions (height, length, number of sections for a sectional radiator)
Material (cast iron, steel, aluminium, etc.)
If the output is stated for another temperature difference, such as ΔT = 60 K, it is converted to ΔT = 50 K with a correction factor set by regulations or the manufacturer’s catalogue.
Example: a cast-iron radiator
For a 10-section “MS-140” cast-iron radiator, one section gives 145 W at ΔT = 50 K, so the total output is 10 × 145 W = 1450 W. With a 1000 W steel panel radiator as the reference, the coefficient is K = 1450 / 1000 = 1.45. This coefficient is used to correct the allocator reading.
Where does the data come from?
When allocators are installed, every radiator is measured and its type is recorded, along with the apartment’s position in the building.
The radiator’s markings can be checked, or it can be looked up in manufacturer catalogues.
If no catalogue is available, heat output tables sometimes published by heating companies can be used.
Output data is sometimes available from building-supply shops, if the radiator model is still sold.
Position coefficient
Once the radiator’s output coefficient is set, the apartment position coefficient from Annex 22 of MK524 is applied as well. For example, if the radiator coefficient is 1.45 and the apartment’s position coefficient is 0.80, the combined coefficient (Factor) is 1.45 × 0.80 = 1.16.
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