Measurement Canada (MC) is launching a new program which will require that all thermal energy meters be Type Approved when used in trade for the measurement of heat energy by the year 2021. Thermal energy meters are flow meters used in a heat exchange circuit, where heat is given up (heating) or absorbed (cooling) by a heat conveying liquid. How MC establishes the Terms and Conditions that will be used to regulate this practice will be outlined. How thermal energy meters must meet the applicable requirements of the Weights and Measures Act and Regulations will be explained.

1. Thermal Energy Meters
Regulatory Implementation
Building a prosperous and innovative Canada
Justin Rae
Program Officer – Program Development Directorate
Measurement Canada
justin.rae@canada.ca

2. What are they?
2
• A meter which determines the heat emitted or absorbed by the
liquid in a hydronic heating or cooling system (e.g. radiator, in-floor
heating, heat exchanger)
• Also called heat meters or BTU meters
• Consist of three sub-assemblies:
➢ Flow sensor
➢ Temperature sensor pair
➢ Calculator

3. How do they work?
3

4. Flow Sensor
4
• Measures the volume or mass flow of the heat conveying liquid
• Several different meter types are used:
➢ Ultrasonic
➢ Multi-jet impeller
➢ Positive displacement
➢ Turbines
➢ Electromagnetic

5. Temperature Sensor Pair
5
• Measures the difference between the flow and return temperatures
• Almost always a matched pair of platinum RTDs
• Can be installed in thermal wells, or directly immersed in the heat
conveying liquid

6. Calculator
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• Combines the readings from the flow sensor and temperature
sensors and calculates the heat energy
• Can often display additional
quantities, such as:
➢ Flow rate
➢ Temperature difference
➢ Individual flow and return
temperatures

7. Heat Transmission Formula
7
The formulas used by the calculator to determine the heat energy are:
𝑄 = න
𝑡0
𝑡1
𝑞 𝑚 𝛥ℎ d𝑡
(when using mass flow)
𝑄 = න
𝑉0
𝑉1
𝑘 𝛥θ d𝑉
(when using volume flow)

8. How are they used?
8
• There are generally two applications:
➢ Bulk/master meter for a building (usually in a district energy
system)
➢ Sub-metering for individual tenants
• Can be used in combination
• Heating, cooling and hot water use can be metered

9. Installation (Heat Exchanger)
9
• Meters the transfer of heat from district energy system to building

10. Installation (Heat Exchanger)
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11. Installation (Residential)
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12. Steps to Regulations
12

13. Measurement in Trade
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Two federal laws govern measurement in trade:
Weights and Measures
Act
• Measurement
involving mass, length,
area, volume or
capacity,
temperature or time
• Best suited to the
measurement of
discrete quantities
Electricity and Gas
Inspection Act
• Measurement of
electricity or gas
• Best suited to the
measurement of
utilities

14. Measurement in Trade (2)
14
What Act governs thermal energy meters?
Weights and Measures Act
• Functions differently than the EGIA
• WMA lacks several tools that are useful for utility meters
• The WMA was not designed with thermal energy meters in mind
• Thermal energy meters are not exempt from the Act, it simply does
not say anything specific about them

15. Requirements under the WMA
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Under the WMA there are three main requirements
• Traders must use an approved device
• Evaluation of the device’s design to ensure that it meets
the regulations
• 8(a) of the Act
Approval
• Devices must be inspected before use in trade
• Examination of each device before it is used in trade
• 8(b) of the Act
Initial
Examination
• Periodic re-examination of installed devices at set
intervals (in certain trade sectors)
• 15(1) of the Act
Mandatory
re-examination

16. Trade Sector Review
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MC consulted with stakeholders in 2010
The TSR had several recommendations:
• Require type approval of all thermal energy meters used in trade
• Require initial examination of all thermal energy meters used in trade
• Require mandatory re-examination of all thermal energy meters
used in trade
• Exempt measuring devices used in the steam sub-sector from
approval and inspection
• Harmonize requirements with international standards, where
appropriate
• Develop Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) programs to have initial
examinations and mandatory re-examinations, if required,
performed by Authorized Service Providers (ASPs)

17. Steps to Regulation
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Develop specifications
Approve devices
Perform initial
examinations
Mandatory
re-examination

18. Specifications
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TSR: Harmonize requirements with international standards, where
appropriate
• Specifications are regulations relating to specific device types
• Found in either the Weights and Measures Regulations, or in
separate specification documents
• Devices are assessed against these specifications during approval
and examination

19. International Standards
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• Recommendation 75 from the International
Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML)
OIML R75
• European standard EN1434, adapted to Canada
by the CSA as C900
EN1434 / C900
• Directive 2014/32/EU of the European Parliament -
Annex VI MI-004 – Thermal Energy Meters
MID-004

20. Specifications (2)
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Why not develop our own specifications?
• Europe is largest market for these devices (~8,000,000 installed)
• Canadian market is maybe 30,000 devices?
• EN 1434 is the industry standard, and has been for years
• Should not create barriers to international trade

21. Specifications (3)
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The Terms and Conditions for the Approval of Thermal Energy Meters
were published in March, 2018
• Contains design, composition, construction, performance criteria
and installation requirements
• Virtually identical to the international standards
• Have not been formally adopted as a specification of the Weights
and Measure Regulations
• Changes are still possible

22. Specifications (4)
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23. Steps to Regulation
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Develop specifications
Approve devices

24. Approvals
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TSR: Require type approval of all thermal energy meters used in trade
• Approvals have begun as a pilot program
• Using test procedures from EN1434/C900 and R75, modified as
necessary
• Accepting applications in 3 categories:
➢ Low flow
➢ Medium flow
➢ High flow
• Will attempt to avoid creating monopolies
• Devices are tested at MC’s laboratory in Ottawa (field trips may be
necessary)

25. Approvals (2)
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26. Steps to Regulation
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Develop specifications
Approve devices
Perform initial
examinations

27. Initial Examinations
27
TSR: Require initial examination of all thermal energy meters used in
trade
• Will confirm proper installation and seal the device
• Only a few performance tests are possible on-site
• Device owner will have to provide a device calibration certificate
manufacturer or third party laboratory
• Bench tests of devices prior to installation will eventually form an
ASD program

28. Initial Examinations (2)
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Calibration by
manufacturer or lab
Installation Examination
Bench testing by
accredited lab
or

29. Steps to Regulation
29
Develop specifications
Approve devices
Perform initial
examinations
Mandatory
re-examination

30. Mandatory Re-examination
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TSR: Require mandatory re-examination of all thermal energy meters
used in trade
• Thermal energy was not one of the sectors requiring re-examination
under the Fairness at the Pumps Act
• An 8 year re-examination frequency was recommended in the TSR
• A cost-benefit analysis shows that re-examination is only worthwhile
for high power meters or at higher energy prices
• Will not be considered until better data is available

31. Other Regulatory Issues and
Implementation Timeline
31

32. Meter Status
32
What about currently installed meters?
• Most installations will be grandfathered until replacement, or 2026,
whichever comes first
• New installations must use an approved meter
• If no approved meter is available, Section 7 of the WMR must be
used instead
• Timing will depend on when meters are approved by MC

33. Section 7 Exemptions
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This exemption allows the use of unapproved and uninspected meters
in certain circumstances
• the device that the parties wish to use conforms to all requirements of the
Act and these Regulations, except the specifications relating to design,
composition, construction and performance;
• the parties have entered into a written contract not exceeding three years in
duration respecting the use of the device that the parties wish to use in the
intended trade transaction showing
(i) the limits of error applicable to the device and to the commodities
to be measured by the device,
(ii) the means to be used for calibrating the device, and
(iii) the intervals at which that device will be calibrated;
• the parties have forwarded to the Minister a true copy of the part of the
contract dealing with the use of the device; and
• the device that the parties wish to use measures within the limits of error
referred to in (iii).

34. ASD Programs
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ASD programs will be developed in parallel with the regulatory aspects
There will be two main aspects:
1) Recognition of device calibration certificates (new program)
2) Initial examination and bench testing by ASPs (modification to
scope of current program
Approximate start dates:
1) 2019
2) 2021

35. ASD Programs
35
1) Recognition of device calibration certificates (new program)
• Evaluation criteria similar to MC bulletin G-16
• Most certificates will have been issued by the manufacturer
• Compatible standards (EN1434) ensure that the devices will meet
MC requirements

36. ASD Programs
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2) Initial examination and bench testing by ASPs
• MC programs S-A-01 and Registration Terms and Conditions
• Will allow ASPs to perform initial examinations
• Accredited labs would perform bench testing prior to installation
• Move away from accepting manufacturer test certificates: this
program will eventually replace much of the first program

37. Timeline
37
Regulation will be phased in over a number of years
Dates / Timeframe Goal
2017 • Online consultation with stakeholders (completed)
2018
• Terms and Conditions posted (completed)
• Approval pilot program (in progress)
• Implementation plan posted (in progress)
2018 and later
• First approvals issued
• Train MC inspectors
2019 and later
• New installations must use approved meters or get a
section 7 exemption
2021
• Initial inspections of approved meters begins
• Trade sector opened to ASPs
2026 • All unapproved meters to be removed from service

38. Current Status and Next Steps
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• Terms and Conditions for the Approval of Thermal Energy Meters
posted in March, 2018
• Pilot program for device approval began in April 2018 (still taking
applications)
• Currently developing examination procedures and ASD programs
• Implementation schedule to be posted in the near future

39. Stay Informed
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40. Questions?
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