Why 15-minute data matters in district heating

In the energy sector, it's no longer enough to have "some data." Consumers now expect to know exactly how much energy they used and when. And in district heating, that demand is even stronger. Two-part billing (splitting the price into fixed and variable components) may make sense for providers, but for the end user, it's often opaque. The less data you have, the more room there is for confusion, doubt and disputes.

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Why 15-minute readings make a difference

This is where 15-minute readings come in. They're not just a technical upgrade, they're a practical tool to make heat pricing understandable. They allow you to monitor consumption in short intervals and more accurately distinguish between demand-driven costs and fixed system overheads.

In real-world deployments, this granularity has proven essential. For example, when a building experiences a brief but sharp peak in demand, a 15-minute snapshot helps attribute that cost fairly, rather than averaging it out over a day. It also gives facility managers a clear window into when and how energy is used, supporting better planning and load balancing.

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More frequent data aligns with regulation

More frequent readings aren't just a tech trend. They reflect growing expectations for fair and transparent billing, strongly supported by EU legislation. The EED directive doesn't mandate 15-minute intervals, but it clearly pushes for regular, remote and continuous access to consumption data. In some countries, 15-minute metering is already becoming the de facto standard, particularly where dynamic tariffs or detailed breakdowns are being introduced.

Countries such as Germany and the Netherlands are already exploring models where more granular data enables not just transparency but also active customer engagement and dynamic pricing. While legislation differs between markets, the trajectory is clear: data-rich services are quickly becoming the baseline.

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You don’t need to replace your meters

The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your infrastructure. ACRIOS converters enable frequent remote readings even from your existing meters. They support water, heat, gas and electricity, can run on battery for up to 10 years, connect via NB-IoT or LoRaWAN, and are built for challenging conditions, from basement shafts and heat exchanger rooms to outdoor installations.

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What this means in practice

With these devices, you gain near real-time access to consumption data. That means you can track daily demand, identify leaks or anomalies, and offer your customers clear, defensible cost allocation, especially when transitioning to two-part heat billing. In practice, this leads to fewer complaints, better customer relationships and higher trust in your service.

One of the key benefits is how this data improves your customer communication. Instead of vague monthly figures, you can show users detailed consumption trends, for example, how night-time heating compares to peak hours, or how a change in settings led to lower usage. This builds confidence in your service and fosters long-term trust.

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A market-ready response

15-minute readings aren’t just a passing trend. They're a response to what regulators and markets now expect from district heating providers. And with our converter, they’re neither expensive nor complex. Just the next logical step to ensure your invoices make sense, to you and your customers alike.

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FAQs about 15-minute data in district heating

What reading intervals are supported by ACRIOS converters?

Our converters support fully configurable intervals: 15 minutes, 1 hour, 2 days... You can set them during setup or adjust them remotely anytime.

How does remote configuration work?

Using downlinks, you can configure not only the reading interval, but also other device parameters like addressing and filtering.

How do more frequent readings impact device power consumption?

The shorter the interval, the more energy is used. But it depends on multiple factors, some M-Bus meters have higher consumption (e.g.due to preheat time). If you’re using several such meters or energy-intensive protocols, battery-powered units might only last two years. That said, in many setups, 5+ years of battery life is still realistic even with frequent readings. And if the device is mains-powered, there’s no impact at all.

I want frequent readings but I’m worried the battery won’t last.

We offer several options. You can choose a model with dual D batteries (double the lifetime), or consult with us to optimise your configuration. In many cases, power consumption is lower than expected. And of course, mains-powered versions are available too.

‍Which meter protocols do you support?

We support most common protocols: wM-Bus, M-Bus, Modbus and pulse inputs.

Which communication protocols are used for data transmission?

Our devices support both LoRaWAN and NB-IoT. We also support MQTT for wM-Bus. If you’re interested in MQTT support for other protocols, let us know, our converters can handle it.

Can I use15-minute readings to calculate daily or monthly usage?

Absolutely. The higher resolution allows easier aggregation and deeper insights into consumption. Use them for reporting, billing breakdowns, or network optimisation.

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Want to deploy 15-minute readings without replacing your meters? Our converters make it possible. Just get in touch and we’ll tailor a solution to your infrastructure.