Heating Cost Allocation Calculator
Enter meter readings, floor area and the distribution key – instant cost share
- Updated
- Basis
- Section 7 of the German Heating Costs Ordinance
Share by consumption
Section 7 of the German Heating Costs Ordinance: 50–70% by consumption, usually 70%. The rest is split by floor area.
Your heating cost share
€456.00
€456.00Of €2,000.00 heating costs in the building, you pay €456.00 (22.8%): €336.00 by consumption and €120.00 by floor area.
- Consumption costs€336.0074%
- Base costs€120.0026%
- Consumption costs of the building (70%)
- €1,400.00
- Base costs of the building (30%)
- €600.00
- Your share of total costs
- 22.8%
How this was calculated
The split follows Section 7 of the German Heating Costs Ordinance (50–70% by consumption, the rest by floor area). Hot water is billed separately under Section 8 and is not included here.
RZ-26 · headon.pro
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
- Total building costs
- €2,000.00
- Consumption share
- 70%
- Your / total units
- 1,200 / 5,000
- Your / total area
- 80 / 400 m²
- Consumption costs (70%)
- €336.00
- Base costs (30%)
- €120.00
- Your heating cost share
- €456.00
- Total building costs
- €3,600.00
- Consumption share
- 50%
- Your / total units
- 2,000 / 8,000
- Your / total area
- 100 / 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
How do I convert heating cost allocator units into euros?
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.
What is the difference between consumption and base costs?
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.
Which distribution key is allowed?
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.
May I reduce my heating bill?
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.
Are hot water costs included in the result?
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.
Where do I get the values for the calculator?
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).