Dual-zone economic model predictive control of residential space heating for demand response using a single heat meter

•Practical E-MPC scheme for space heating demand response was developed.•The scheme relies on dwelling-level heat metering and simple thermal zoning.•Co-simulation of a case study was used to test the scheme.•The scheme yields the same load shifting as when using room-level heat measurements.•The scheme eliminates the need for investments in room heat meters.