Do we need general household heat energy metering devices and what is their advantage.

To date, the state policy on energy saving and energy efficiency improvement is being implemented, one of the requirements of which provides for the installation of a general household heat energy metering device (hereinafter referred to as the OPU).

Thus, according to paragraph 4 of Article 8 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency Improvement", consumers pay for the consumed thermal energy at tariffs differentiated depending on the presence or absence of heat metering devices approved in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on natural monopolies.

At the same time, the installation of an OPU is one of the most effective ways to increase the level of energy saving and control energy consumption.

Also, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan" On Natural Monopolies " provides for the obligations of the consumer to have metering devices, to pay for the purchase and installation of a metering device in a timely manner and in full, except for the cases of acceptance and commissioning of construction objects.

In turn, the OPU is installed on the border of the balance sheet ownership of the parties.

At the same time, the boundary of balance ownership and operational responsibility is the point of division of the heat network between energy-producing, energy-transmitting organizations and consumers, as well as between consumers and sub-consumers, determined by the balance ownership of the heat network and establishing the operational responsibility of the parties.

The boundary of operational responsibility between the consumer and the energy-transmitting (energy-producing) organization in multi-apartment residential buildings managed by the consumer cooperative of apartment owners (hereinafter referred to as the PKSK) or the management body of the condominium object is determined by the first dividing flange or weld of the input valves of the control unit from the side of the heat energy source.                     

The power supply organization has the obligation to supply heat energy to this very border, then the heat distribution is carried out through the intra-house networks, for which the PKSK and the residents of the house are responsible, since the intra-house systems belong to the property of the tenants of an apartment building. In this connection, it should be noted that the importance of the state of the intra-house systems, on which the parameters of the heat energy received in the apartments depend, is important. Thus, the availability and maintenance of an OPU in good condition is one of the methods for energy saving. At the same time, in order to avoid unjustified payments, it is necessary to comply with technical requirements, carry out maintenance of communal property and carry out thermal modernization measures in a timely manner (insulate risers, keep entrances, basements and indoor networks in proper condition).

In turn, the installation of the OPU is carried out according to the state program or independently. 

When installing an OPU under the state program, a tripartite financial leasing agreement is concluded, the Lessor undertakes to transfer the leased object acquired from the Seller to the Lessee, who is a natural monopoly entity, that is, the OPU for temporary possession and use. According to the contract, the Seller undertakes to sell, deliver, install, put into operation, carry out verification and provide guaranteed service of the leased object, and the Lessor undertakes to purchase it into his own property for transfer to the lessee. Also, the Lessee, regardless of the actual ownership and use of the leased object, undertakes to pay regular periodic lease payments to the lessor for timely receipt, which the latter is entitled to, throughout the entire term of the agreement. Lease payments are determined according to the Schedule of repayment of lease payments for a period of 48 months from the date of signing the act of acceptance of the leased object.

Thus, the subjects of natural monopolies are not the person who acquires and establishes the OPU, but are lessees, the funds paid by consumers are returned to the subjects of natural monopolies in full to the lessor in the form of lease payments to repay the cost of the OPU.

When residents of an apartment building independently install an OPU, a contract is concluded with private firms, where the first ones undertake to pay 50% of the cost of the OPU before installation and the remaining 50% of the cost is paid after the installation of the OPU.

In the case of self-installation of the OPU, consumers need to make sure that the OPU is entered into the state register of measuring instruments of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the register can be viewed on the website http://kazinmetr.kz/si/), and also whether the organization has all the necessary equipment to perform the installation of the OPU.

In addition, it should be noted that the installation of an OPU allows residents who have installed it to see the actual consumption, as well as regulate the heat supply, thereby saving at high outdoor temperatures.

So, for example, in the city of Kostanay, in houses located at the addresses: Kievskaya Street, house 7; Tekstilshchikov Street, house 9; Altynsarina Street, house 131 (building 2); Altynsarina Street, house 131 (building 3); Shipina Street, house 155; Shipina Street, house 155/2, Doschanova Street, house 145/6, general household heat metering devices were installed, for which charges were made for the actual volume consumed, taking into account the tariff for the category of consumers who have heat metering devices, which led to significant cost savings.

The average savings over four years for the above-mentioned houses amounted to an amount of 1,000,000 tenge, for each house the average savings amounted to an amount of 250,000 tenge.

The tariff for the regulated heat supply service provided by the State Enterprise "Kostanay Heat and Power Company" for 1 Gcal (excluding VAT) for consumers (population) with OPU is 4,100. 64 tenge, and for consumers without OPU is 5,052. 47 tenge or according to the norms of heat energy consumption, the fee for 1 m2 is 161.68 tenge throughout the heating season, regardless of the outdoor temperature.

At the same time, it should be noted that when commissioning new buildings, the construction organization provides the installation of OPU in houses.

We remind you about the obligation of consumers to monitor the safety and working condition of the OPU and transmit readings in a timely manner.

In case of disagreement with the accrued amount or if there are questions regarding the provision of heat supply services, the Department recommends that consumers contact the natural monopoly entity for clarification.

In case of disagreement with the actions of a natural monopoly entity, the consumer has the right to apply to the Department with the attachment of supporting documents.

Chief specialist of the Department for monitoring compliance with legislation and claim work of the RSU "Department of the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the Kostanay region" Atambozova Zh. B.

Подробнее: https://kstnews.kz/news/commune/item-63841