Current for 2026·As of: August 2026

Heating Cost Allocation Calculator Split heating costs correctly.

Enter meter readings, floor area and the distribution key – instant cost share

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Heating Cost Allocation Calculator

Split a flat's heating costs under Section 7 HeizkostenV – consumption and base costs from meter readings and floor area.

Whole building

200 €12,000 €
50 %70 %
100 m²2,000 m²
100 20,000

Section 7 HeizkostenV: 50–70% by consumption, typically 70%

Your flat

10 m²300 m²
0 8,000

Your heating cost share

€456.00

70% consumption · 30% base costs

Consumption costs

€336.00

Base costs

€120.00

Your share

22.8 %

Note: The split follows Section 7 HeizkostenV (50–70% by consumption, the rest by floor area). Hot water is billed separately under Section 8 HeizkostenV and is not included here. Your service charge statement is authoritative.

Splitting heating costs: how the distribution key works

Consumption costs by meter reading, base costs by floor area

Heating costs in an apartment building are not split evenly but by a statutory distribution key: consumption costs = total costs × consumption share × (your units ÷ total units), plus the base costs = total costs × base share × (your area ÷ total area). The numbers read from the heating cost allocators on your radiators are not kilowatt-hours but dimensionless units – only the ratio of your units to all units in the building gives your share of the consumption pool.

Two pools, two measures: Under Section 7(1) HeizkostenV, at least 50% and at most 70% of the costs must be allocated by metered heat consumption – 70% is common. The rest (30%) is the base cost share, allocated by living or usable floor space. Base costs cover vacancy losses, pipe heat and standby costs; that is why even someone who heats little pays a floor-area-based portion.

Hot water is separate: This calculator covers space heating costs. Central hot water supply is billed separately under Section 8 HeizkostenV, also consumption-based (50–70%), with its own meters. Compare the result with the corresponding lines of your service charge statement.

Distribution key and deduction rights at a glance

What the German Heating Costs Ordinance requires

70/30 is the standard case
70% consumption, 30% base costs – the most common permitted key
50–70% by consumption
Section 7(1) HeizkostenV: at least 50%, at most 70% consumption-based
Base costs by area
Remainder allocated by living/usable floor space or enclosed volume
15% deduction possible
Section 12(1): tenants may reduce a non-consumption-based bill
3% each on top
For missing remote metering or missing monthly info (Section 6a HeizkostenV)
Units are dimensionless
Allocators count units, not kWh – only the ratio matters

Checking your heating bill: Sections 7 and 12 HeizkostenV

Distribution key, deduction rights and the official source

If the landlord bills not based on consumption – for example purely by floor space – tenants may reduce their cost share by a flat 15% under Section 12(1) HeizkostenV. A further 3% each applies if no remotely readable metering devices are installed or the monthly consumption information under Section 6a HeizkostenV is missing. First check whether the applied consumption share is even between 50% and 70%.

What the calculator does: It splits a total sum by your key onto one flat and shows the consumption and base cost shares separately. That lets you see whether the amount stated in your bill matches your meter readings and floor area. The authoritative basis for any legal assessment is the official ordinance text on gesetze-im-internet.de and your specific service charge statement.

Calculation examples

Key 70/30: €2,000 total costs

Key 70/30: €2,000 total costs
ItemAmount
Total building costs€2,000.00
Consumption share70%
Your / total units1,200 / 5,000
Your / total area80 / 400 m²
Consumption costs (70%)€336.00
Base costs (30%)€120.00
Your heating cost share€456.00

Key 50/50: €3,600 total costs

Key 50/50: €3,600 total costs
ItemAmount
Total building costs€3,600.00
Consumption share50%
Your / total units2,000 / 8,000
Your / total area100 / 500 m²
Consumption costs (50%)€450.00
Base costs (50%)€360.00
Your heating cost share€810.00

Frequently asked questions about heating cost allocation

Distribution key, meter readings and deduction rights

The units of a heating cost allocator are dimensionless – they only become a cost share in relation to all units in the building. Formula: a flat’s consumption costs = total costs × consumption share (e.g. 70%) × (your units ÷ total units). Example: with €2,000 total costs, a 70% consumption share and 1,200 of 5,000 units, that is 2,000 × 0.70 × 0.24 = €336 in consumption costs. The floor-area-based costs are added on top.

Consumption costs (50–70% of the total) are allocated by actual metered heat consumption – the allocator readings. Base costs (the remaining 30–50%) are allocated by living or usable floor space and cover standby costs such as pipe heat and vacancy. That is why even a barely heated flat pays a floor-area-based portion.

Under Section 7(1) HeizkostenV, at least 50% and at most 70% of heating costs must be billed by consumption. So 50/50, 60/40 or 70/30 are permitted – 70/30 is the most common. A key outside this range (such as 100% by floor space) is not permitted and entitles the tenant to a deduction.

If billing is not consumption-based, tenants may reduce their share by a flat 15% under Section 12(1) HeizkostenV. A further 3% each is possible if no remotely readable metering devices are installed or the monthly consumption information under Section 6a HeizkostenV is missing. The deduction applies to your cost share, not the total costs.

No. This calculator covers space heating costs. Hot water is billed separately under Section 8 HeizkostenV, also consumption-based (50–70%), with its own meters. Heating and hot water therefore appear as separate lines in the service charge statement.

All values are in your annual heating bill: the building’s total costs, the applied consumption share (distribution key), your metered units and the building’s total units, plus your floor area and the total floor area. If figures such as the total units are missing, you may inspect the supporting documents at the landlord (Section 259 BGB, right to inspect records).

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