How to calculate the temperature coefficient for gas. Gas meters and temperature coefficient: in Vladimir and other Russian cities a new line has appeared in gas bills

For residents of the Volgograd region, especially residents of private houses, gas is as essential a product as bread or, say, water. Without affordable and environmentally friendly fuel, many simply cannot imagine their existence.

Accordingly, fluctuations in natural gas costs in one direction or another cannot but affect people’s daily lives. Therefore, it is not surprising that the appearance at one time of the so-called “temperature coefficient when calculating for gas using meters without temperature compensation” gave rise to a lot of lawsuits and complaints to all authorities. It turned out that in the cold season, the use of the coefficient automatically increased the volume of gas consumed, and therefore the amount of payments for it.

In 2006, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted Decree No. 307 of May 23, “On the procedure for providing public services to citizens.” This document approved the Rules for the Provision of Public Utilities, which finally stipulated the use of temperature coefficients when making payments to household consumers.

In general, it turns out that the legislator actually himself admitted the fact that it was applied to the population before the decree was issued not entirely legally. On the other hand, there was and remains a number of regulations that stated the need in calculations to take into account the volume of gas brought to standard conditions using this very coefficient.

Where is the truth? And how fairly and justifiably are temperature coefficients applied now? We decided to get answers to these and other questions from all competent interested parties.

Cases of past years that are not closed today

The use of the gas coefficient before 2007, when new Rules for the provision of public utility services were approved, in our opinion, was clearly illegal,” Z.G. stated her point of view. Shukh, head of the consumer rights protection department of the Volgograd region administration. - Since 2004, we have received a whole stream of complaints and requests regarding the temperature coefficient. We prepared a statement of claim to the court in defense of an unspecified circle of persons as a methodological recommendation, which was then sent to all heads of municipalities. And local consumer rights protection authorities, except, perhaps, the relevant structures of the city of Volgograd, initiated the process of defending the rights of our citizens in court.

However, the judicial system of the Volgograd region did not support the demands of consumers and consumer rights protection authorities. As a result, an appeal to the Supreme Court followed the claim of the Elan Committee for the Protection of Consumer Rights. And so the judge of the Supreme Court issued a ruling dated January 30, 2007 to transfer the case to the presidium of the Volgograd Regional Court for re-examination of the case due to, I quote, “a significant violation of the norms of procedural and substantive law.” The Presidium of the regional court supported the consumer, and the case was sent to the district court for a new trial. Now there is another task - to return the money overpaid according to the coefficient in court.

Gas workers have their own reasons. This is the official comment that was provided to us by the press service of Volgogradregiongaz LLC. “The Volgograd region was among the first in Russia to introduce the practice of applying a correction factor in order to bring the volume of gas consumed by subscribers to standard conditions. This gave rise to questions among the population that resulted in a number of lawsuits. Out of more than 30 court cases in which the topic of the legality of using the temperature correction coefficient in settlements with consumers was raised, Volgogradregiongaz LLC won everything.

The ruling of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated January 10, 2007, which is often referred to by specialists from consumer rights protection departments, does not contain the words that the use of a temperature correction coefficient is contrary to current legislation. By the ruling of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated January 10, 2007, the case on the appeal of the district committee for the protection of consumer rights of the Elansky district of the Volgograd region to consider the legality of using the correction temperature coefficient in settlements with household gas consumers was sent for consideration on the merits to the presidium of the Volgograd regional court. In turn, the Volgograd Regional Court decided to return the case for consideration to the Elansky District Court, which until now has not issued its court ruling. This means that there is no final judicial decision in this case, which means that all statements regarding one or another outcome are, to put it mildly, premature.

As for the application of the coefficients itself, according to gas workers, the legal framework for their application is extensive and beyond doubt. Firstly, these are the Gas Accounting Rules, approved by the Ministry of Fuel and Energy on November 15, 1996. GOST 2939-63 “Gases” is also included in this list. Conditions for determining volume." By the Law of the Russian Federation “On ensuring the uniformity of measurements” dated April 27, 1993 N 4871-1, state standards are classified as regulatory documents for ensuring the uniformity of measurements.

“According to Art. 9 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On ensuring the uniformity of measurements”, the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of the Metrological Service of the State Standard of Russia (FSUE “VNIIMS”) in 2002, in agreement with OJSC “Rosgazifikatsiya”, developed, certified and approved a “Standard methodology for performing measurements with membrane gas meters without temperature compensation" (MI 2721-2002). FSUE "VNIIMS" confirmed the correctness of the results of calculations related to measuring the amount of gas consumed in the Volgograd region. The authorized state body in the field of gas metering - the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (formerly - Gosstandart of the Russian Federation) - by letter N 120/25-544 dated 02/08/2005, explained that the introduction of correction factors for membrane gas meters according to MI 2721 is based on Law of the Russian Federation “On ensuring the uniformity of measurements”.

So what did the Supreme Court say?

There is a proverb: “How many lawyers, so many opinions.” Having familiarized myself with the resolution of the Presidium of the Volgograd Regional Court dated February 26, 2007, adopted after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the consideration of the supervisory appeal against the decision of the Elansky District Court dated November 2, 2005, I personally realized that the case was returned for reconsideration to the district court with a fairly categorical wording.

The resolution, in particular, states: “Article 157 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation stipulates that the rules for the provision of public services to citizens are established by the government of the Russian Federation. Such rules in relation to this case were the Rules for payment of housing and utilities to citizens, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of June 30, 2004 N 392.

...The specified rules did not grant the right to resource supplying enterprises to introduce correction factors to the readings of meters that do not have correction for temperature and pressure. Clause 2.5 of the Gas Accounting Rules approved by the Russian Ministry of Fuel and Energy on October 14, 1996, which was referred to by the courts in approving the right of Volgogradregiongaz OJSC to independently establish correction factors for the readings of meters that do not have a special correction device, provides that the measurement and accounting of the amount of gas is carried out according to methods certified in accordance with the established procedure. Meanwhile, these Rules, as can be seen from the introductory part, understand gas consumers as legal entities using gas as fuel or raw material.

...For the first time, the use of temperature coefficients in payments between the gas supply service provider and household consumers using temperature coefficients in the case of the consumer using gas metering devices without temperature compensation was introduced by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 23, 2006 N 307 “On the procedure for providing utility services to citizens”... When In such circumstances, court decisions cannot be considered legal and justified and they are subject to cancellation.”

This is, quite clearly, the definition of the presidium of the regional court. It should be noted that in this case, in the motivational part, it practically repeats word for word the definition of the Supreme Court. The decision of the Elansky court was canceled by a resolution of the presidium and returned for a new consideration.

It is clear that this whole situation looks a little strange from the point of view of the laws of economics. Gas workers receive fuel from suppliers using a temperature coefficient and supply it to legal entities under the same conditions. Individuals, that is, ordinary citizens, fell out of this order. It turns out that our legal gaps are being plugged by the nerves of consumers and possible losses of gas supply organizations. And again, how transparent is the procedure for determining tariffs, and is their methodology correct?

The coefficient has been approved. Long live the coefficient?

We decided to find out how the coefficients are now being determined in the region from the specialist responsible for the unity of all measurements in the Volgograd region, deputy head of the Volgograd Center for Standardization and Metrology, chief metrologist V.V. MALYUK.

Valery Vasilyevich, tell us a little about the history of the issue.

I would like to note right away that I can only cover its technical side. In the current GOST 2939 “Gases. Conditions for determining volume” indicate that when calculating for gas consumed, the volume of gas reduced to normal (standard) conditions is used. As a metrologist, I can say that natural gas is a very compressible substance and has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, that is, its volume significantly depends on pressure and temperature.

The volume of gas consumed is recorded using meters. Some types of them have so-called temperature compensation devices, which automatically recalculate the volume of gas, bringing it to normal conditions. However, the cost of such devices is comparable to the price of a household meter itself, and therefore they are not widely used among private homeowners. This necessitated the use of coefficients for meters without compensation.

For a long time, the country simply did not have a document that would define uniform rules for recounting. Therefore, in 2002, the recommendations MI 2721-2002, developed and approved by the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Metrological Service (VNIIMS), the lead for the standardization and metrology system, were approved. They also included a “Typical procedure for performing measurements with membrane gas meters without temperature compensation.”

This technique was the first in Russia. It is natural that, as the first such experience, she could not take into account all the nuances. First of all, temperature zoning of Russian regions, the territory of some of which can accommodate several European states. In addition, it did not indicate what to do if the meter is located in a residential area, the temperature in which is clearly different from outdoor conditions. Moreover, strictly speaking, the “Methodology” was only a technical document. Russian legislation did not specify who or what body approves temperature coefficients for a particular region. As a result, as you know, there was a lot of controversy. And not only in our region.

So what changes have taken place?

In 2005, a new document was developed and adopted - recommendations MI 2721-2005. First of all, in the new standard methodology it was determined that the temperature coefficient for a membrane meter without compensation installed in a heated room is equal to one - that is, whatever volume of gas is measured by the meter is subject to payment.

By Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 23, 2006 N 307, the “Rules for the provision of public services to citizens” were adopted. In them, in Chapter XII “Features of gas supply to consumers via the connected network”, in paragraph 94, it was clearly stated that the approval of temperature coefficients in the case of a consumer using gas metering devices without temperature compensation should be carried out by the federal executive body exercising control and supervision functions in the field of technical regulation and metrology. In turn, the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, in accordance with the resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation, issued order N 3145 of November 8, 2006, which, from January 1, 2007, established the procedure for approving temperature coefficients for gas payments using metering devices without temperature compensation and special instructions.

In short, as before, the coefficients are calculated by the gas supply organization. She sends her calculations to VNIIMS, simultaneously attaching to them certified weather service data for a certain period for the identified climatic zones of the region. According to the instructions, calculations are carried out for each half of the current year based on the temperature and pressure of the previous year. The institute checks the accuracy of the calculations and submits them for approval to the deputy head of the federal agency.

In addition, FSUE "VNIIMS" by order N 3145 was instructed to continue work on developing a methodology for calculating coefficients for metering devices located indoors.

- ...It turns out that certain shortcomings have emerged in the current methodology (from 2005)?

We have received a number of requests from citizens and consumer rights protection departments of municipal district administrations. They all unanimously speak about one thing: the main disadvantage of this method is that the calculation of temperature coefficients for the current year is based on the data of the previous year. And in the current warm winter, there is a coefficient calculated based on the average temperature of January-February last year, when frosts reached 35 degrees, which is completely atypical for our region. In turn, a warm winter according to this method will cause the calculation of coefficients not in favor of gas workers. So, to balance interests, it would be much more correct, in my opinion, if averaged data were used for some longer observation period, say, three to five years.

Unfortunately, our center is not authorized to take part in the calculations and approval of coefficients, however, we could not ignore the numerous requests addressed to us by interested organizations and citizens. We have sent proposals to VNIIMS on the issue of using temperature coefficients. I think, taking into account the accumulated experience, metrology scientists will make a balanced and reasoned decision.

In general, dear readers, the use of gas coefficients has been legalized in all conceivable authorities since this year. And on their application, before the appearance of new communal rules in May 2006, legal proceedings are taking place, which will decide how to deal with claims in this or that case. The development of a methodology for gas meters without temperature compensation located indoors will also continue. Is it preparing something for consumers?.. The question remains: how transparent and open will the new procedure for developing and approving coefficients be for residents of the region? To be continued?

Dmitry Sokhin

Gas / Gas meters

What is the temperature coefficient that is applied to the gas meter reading, in what cases is it legal to use it and can it be refused? We are publishing clarifications from Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Rostov-on-Don LLC.

Why is a “temperature coefficient” applied to gas meter readings?

The gas meter is located on the street. At one time, the work was carried out by specialists from Gorgaz, all documents are available. The technical characteristics of the meter indicate that it can operate at temperatures from -40°C to +40°C, but a calculation factor of 1.06 has been introduced. Explain where this figure came from and on what basis it was entered into the calculation scheme?

In accordance with clause 26 of the Rules for the supply of gas to meet the household needs of citizens, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 21, 2008. No. 549, the volume of gas consumed according to the readings of a gas meter that does not have temperature compensation is determined as the difference in the readings of the gas meter at the beginning and end of the reporting period, multiplied by the temperature coefficient (coefficient of reduction to standard conditions) approved for such types of gas metering devices Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology.

Thus, when determining the amount of payment for consumed natural gas, the readings of the gas consumption meter for the billing month in order to bring the volume of gas to standard conditions are multiplied by the appropriate coefficient, and then by the retail price approved by the Regional Tariff Service of the Rostov Region.

In accordance with the technical characteristics specified in the passport of the household gas meter, the temperature parameters of the measured and ambient temperatures are set, for example, for the SGK-G4 gas flow meter from - 20°C to + 60°C. This means that the gas meter can be operated within the range determined in accordance with the technical specifications. In your case, the device can operate at temperatures from -40°C to +40°C.

The State Committee of Standards, Measures and Measuring Instruments of the USSR approved State Standard No. 2939-63 “Gases. Conditions for determining volume." This standard applies to gases and establishes conditions for determining their volume in mutual settlements with consumers.

Regardless of what technical characteristics your gas meter has, the volume of gas must be reduced to the following condition - gas temperature +20°C. Due to changes in ambient temperature, the volume of gas changes. To bring gas volumes to standard conditions when measured by meters without temperature compensation installed outdoors, temperature coefficients are used for settlements with consumers in the Rostov region.

Temperature coefficient when calculating gas consumption. Reference

The use of temperature coefficients when paying for gas using consumer metering devices without temperature compensation is provided for in clause 26 of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 21, 2008 No. 549 “On the procedure for supplying gas to meet the household needs of citizens.” Temperature coefficients for the Saratov region are approved every six months by the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology.

According to GOST 2939-63 “Gases. Conditions for determining the volume”, the volume of gas during mutual settlements with consumers should be reduced to the following conditions: temperature 20 ° C and pressure 760 mm Hg. Art., humidity is 0.

The need to establish standard conditions to which the volume of consumed gas should be reduced when making payments to consumers is due to the natural physical properties of gas to change its volume depending on temperature and pressure.

To measure the volume of gas consumed by the population of the Rostov region, gas meters are used, both automatically bringing the gas volume to standard conditions, and meters that do not have temperature and pressure correctors.

The consumer has the right to either use a gas meter without temperature compensation and pay for the consumed volume of gas using temperature coefficients, or use a gas meter with temperature compensation and pay for gas without using temperature coefficients. In this case, the consumer can choose the type of metering device.

Gas / Gas meters

The more we are required to install metering devices, the more questions and problems ordinary citizens have. In Vladimir, for example, since March, a new line has appeared in gas receipts - “temperature coefficient”. What is it and why should we pay extra money for gas? The editors of the publication Arguments and Facts in Vladimir looked into this.

Temperature coefficient and gas meters: where does what come from?

Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Vladimir began to apply special coefficients in March. Subscribers whose meters do not have a temperature corrector and who are installed in unheated rooms or on the street received bills in which a new column appeared - “Temperature coefficient”. Where did he come from?

All physical substances, including gas, tend to compress and expand depending on the ambient temperature. If gas passes through the meter without temperature compensation, provided that the outside temperature deviates from the required 20 degrees, then it changes its physical characteristics.

And since gas consists of hydrocarbons, it expands and contracts by 3.5% for every 10 degrees. And the same newly introduced temperature coefficient allows you to compensate for the volume of gas consumed.

So the coefficient is not an invention of the Vladimir “gas workers”, it is a legislative requirement from above, it is calculated and approved by the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology.

When calculating the coefficient, the average monthly ambient temperature in the region over the last 3 years is taken into account, so it may vary from month to month. All weather information is provided by the Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring.

Thus, subscribers - quite legally - received payments for March in which a new column appeared - “Temperature coefficient”. By the way, that month it was 1.1%. To determine the exact figure, it was necessary to increase our gas volumes by 10%. But who clearly and intelligibly told consumers about this? Accordingly, only a few did this - almost 100% of subscribers ignored the new requirements, so for April they are waiting for receipts with the debt.

Is it possible to install a gas meter so that it immediately takes into account the temperature?

In general, there are 2 types of meters - with and without temperature correction. The only difference is that the first option is equipped with a special tool that brings the volume of gas to standard conditions - 20 degrees Celsius and 760 mm Hg.

In total, 566.5 thousand subscribers consume gas in the Vladimir region. Of these, 190 thousand installed meters and most of them (172 thousand) installed them without a temperature corrector. More than 14 thousand families in the region have such meters on the street.

And those who have the second version of the meter and it is located on the street have 2 options: either use the temperature coefficient each time when calculating the volume of gas, or remove the meter into the house or change it to a new one - with a temperature corrector. But is the game worth the candle? Experts are sure no. After all, a new meter costs twice as much - about three thousand. And this is if you don’t take into account the installation - and that also costs money.

Gas meters and temperature coefficient: expert commentary

Svetlana Gorelova, Deputy General Director for Economics and Finance, Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Vladimir LLC:

— The right to use the temperature coefficient was established back in 2008. Vladimir begins to introduce new norms only on January 1, 2014, and such a column appeared in receipts only in March. But, since we carried out explanatory work in the first two months of the year, there will be no recount for January and February.

Gas / Gas meters

What is the temperature coefficient for gas payments using a meter? Where does it come from and how is it used? Such questions often come to us at EnergoVOPROS.ru. We are publishing explanations from Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Saratov on this topic.

Where does the temperature coefficient for a gas meter come from?

Question: The gas meter is located on the street. At one time, the work was carried out by specialists from Gorgaz, all documents are available. The technical characteristics of the meter indicate that it can operate at temperatures from -40 to +40, but a calculation factor of 1.06 has been introduced. Explain where this figure came from and on what basis it was entered into the calculation scheme?

Answer from a specialist from Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Saratov LLC: In accordance with clause 26 of the Rules for the supply of gas to meet the household needs of citizens, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 21, 2008. No. 549, the volume of gas consumed according to the readings of a gas meter that does not have temperature compensation is determined as the difference in the readings of the gas meter at the beginning and end of the reporting period, multiplied by the temperature coefficient (coefficient of reduction to standard conditions) approved for such types of gas metering devices Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology.

Thus, when determining the amount of payment for consumed natural gas, the readings of the gas consumption meter for the billing month in order to bring the volume of gas to standard conditions are multiplied by the appropriate coefficient, and then by the retail price approved by the State Tariff Regulation Committee of the Saratov Region.

In accordance with the technical characteristics specified in the passport of the household gas meter, the temperature parameters of the measured and ambient temperatures are set, for example, for the SGK-G4 gas flow meter from - 20°C to + 60°C.

This means that the gas meter can be operated within the range determined in accordance with the technical specifications. In your case, the device can operate at temperatures from -40 to +40.

The State Committee of Standards, Measures and Measuring Instruments of the USSR approved State Standard No. 2939-63 “Gases. Conditions for determining volume." This standard applies to gases and establishes conditions for determining their volume in mutual settlements with consumers. Regardless of what technical characteristics your gas meter has, the volume of gas must be reduced to the following condition - gas temperature +20 °C. Due to changes in ambient temperature, the volume of gas changes.

To bring gas volumes to standard conditions when measured by meters without temperature compensation installed outdoors, temperature coefficients are used for settlements with consumers in the Saratov region.

Nonsense.

1. Regarding nonsense, I would like to draw attention to the correctness of the style of communication you have chosen, despite the fact that a person who considers himself to be a group of specialists is answering the questions.

2. If you are a specialist who is familiar with the subject of this topic, you should be informed about the Procedure for implementing the provisions of clause 94 of the “Rules for the provision of public services to citizens,” which was implemented through the issuance of appropriate orders from the head of Rostekhregulirovanie. Having delved into the meaning and content of these documents, you can accurately determine where is nonsense and where are logically verified conclusions!

How, after the introduction of PPRF307, did it become clear that the gas pressure in the network depends on the influence of temperature? and leads to biased testimony? and what place should be considered proper?

1. Before the entry into force of PPRF No. 307 (clause 94), I paid for the consumed amount of gas strictly according to the readings of the gas meter. Since January 1, 2007, it turned out that this is not enough, since it is also necessary to take into account the properties of the gas. What, did the Government learn about these properties only when preparing the said resolution? And why does the data sheet of the metering device say nothing about taking into account the error associated with the properties of the gas? Why was information about the temperature measurement error of the device hidden from me when purchasing a meter??? As a result, paragraph 94 of PPRF No. 307 presented me with a choice: either I incur expenses not foreseen by me due to the use of temperature coefficients, or I am forced, at my own expense, to change the gas meter to a meter of a different design. Thus, the consumer, at the instigation of the Government, once again becomes extreme.

2. If there were no paragraph 94 of the “Rules for the provision of public services to citizens,” then I would not need to waste time and understand all this mess. Having figured it out, I definitely now know that a change in temperature entails a change in pressure in the connected gas supply network - this can be seen in the operation of the heating boiler. And not by theory, but by practice, it has been established that a decrease in gas temperature definitely leads to an increase in its consumption, which provokes an increase in the amount of gas measured by the meter. Thus, I pay twice: for the unreasonable fuel consumption associated with the gas temperature, plus the coefficients.

3. The fact that gas meter readings without temperature compensation are not objective is written in paragraph 94 of PPRF No. 307, so I will not repeat it.

4. The installation location of the gas meter, which is appropriate, is indicated in Methodology MI 2721 - where the coefficient is equal to unity, that is, in a heated room.

In order for the readings of metering devices to be objective, the working volume of gas is corrected to the standard level, at metering units using correctors, and for household meters - using calculated coefficients.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the meter gives readings in actual conditions, as noted in paragraph 1 of Article 541 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, at the place of its installation and in the current time, according to actual temperature, pressure and compressibility (depending on the type of gas meter). Thus, only these conditions reflect reality. The initial data that is used to calculate the coefficients according to the MI 2721 Methodology cannot be considered valid and objective.

Clause 13 indicates the permissible gas pressure range at the installation site of the metering device. It is standardized in such a narrow range (0.003...0.005 MPa) in order, among other things, to take into account only the temperature correction when recalculating the gas volume, while obtaining a minimum error.

The essence of this norm is, first of all, to protect consumer rights. Calculations show that the values ​​of the initial data used to calculate the coefficients and which have undergone examination at VNIIMS fall within the scope of clause 13 (which, accordingly, gives the right to refuse payment for the supplied gas). Thus, the Procedure for calculating coefficients established by Rostekhregulirovanie does not ensure payment for consumed gas in its actual volume, thereby violating the provisions of federal law.