A delta meter records consumption over a period (for example, 45 kWh from January 1st to 31st) rather than a rising cumulative index. This type of meter is commonly used for heat cost allocators and certain energy measurement systems.
Zero Friction now supports the full process for delta meters: from creation and data entry to processing and billing, with no workarounds or virtual readings.
This article covers the complete process in 5 steps:
Creating a meter: configure a channel as delta or cumulative
Entering or importing meter data: manually or via import
Billing: process consumption periods and any gaps
Invoice: how the invoice looks for delta meters
Move-in and reconfiguration
1. Create a meter with a delta channel
When creating a meter, you set the reading type per channel:
Cumulative: the meter records a rising index.
Delta: the meter records consumption over a given period.
A meter can also be mixed: some channels cumulative, others delta. You configure this per channel when creating the meter or via a meter import.
⚠️ Delta channels can also be created via meter import. Use the consumption import template available in the import module.
2. Enter and import meter data
Via the "Add meter data" window, choose the type of data to enter. The available options depend on the type of channels on the meter:
Meters type | Available input |
Cumulative channels only | Reading only (index + date) |
Delta channels only | Consumption only (start date, end date, value) |
Mixed channels | Reading and consumption (one type per action) |
Via import: in addition to the value and end date, the import file also includes a start date. A ready-to-use import template is available in the import module.
3. Billing with delta channels
In the billing overview for an invoice period, delta channels show an adapted view:
Received consumption: with consumption start date and end date, instead of start and end readings.
Multiple consumption periods within a single billing period are automatically aggregated.
Missing consumption periods (consumption gaps) are flagged. You fill in the missing values via "Add meter data". All gaps must be completed in a single action.
⚠️ Acceptance window: if there is no consumption on the end date of the billing period, but a value exists within the configured acceptance window, that value is used. The acceptance window is configurable from 0 to 5 days. This also applies to delta channels.
4. How does the invoice look?
On the invoice, in the "My consumption" section, delta meters show:
The start and end readings show N/A instead of a value.
An informative message explains why: "If the start reading and end reading are not filled in, this indicates that the meter records consumption rather than readings."
Meters with readings continue to display the start and end reading as before.
5. Move-in and reconfiguration
Upon move-in:
In the move-in wizard, no start reading is requested for a delta channel.
In the customer portal, the customer is not asked to enter a start consumption upon move-in.
Consumption starting from the contract start date is assigned to the new tenant.
Upon reconfiguration (cumulative ↔ delta):
Zero Friction automatically removes historical meter data that is no longer compatible with the new reading type.
⚠️ Note: the removal of incompatible historical data upon reconfiguration cannot be undone.
Problem | Solution |
The total consumption on the invoice appears incomplete. | Check that all consumption periods in the billing period are present. Missing periods are flagged in the billing overview; complete them via "Add meter data". |
The "Consumption" option is not available in "Add meter data". | Check that the channel is configured with the delta reading type. Cumulative channels do not support consumption entry. |
After reconfiguration, historical data has disappeared. | This is expected behaviour. When switching from cumulative to delta (or vice versa), incompatible data is automatically removed. This action cannot be undone. |
The customer asks why the start and end readings show N/A on the invoice. | Refer to the explanatory note on the invoice: the meter records consumption rather than readings, which is why there is no start or end reading. |
What if a consumption period partly falls outside the invoice period?
Zero Friction does not adjust the billing period. The full consumption period is taken into account. Splitting consumption periods is not supported.
What if there are multiple consumption gaps during invoicing?
In the billing overview, you can see how many periods are missing. Complete all missing values in a single action via "Add meter data" before the billing period can be continued.
Are existing meter integrations supported for delta channels?
Not yet. Delta channels are supported via manual entry or import. Existing meter integrations will be extended in a future version.
Can I create a meter with both cumulative and delta channels?
Yes. You set the reading type per channel when creating the meter or via import.