Performance, efficiency, protection: UK follows leading nations in developing heat networks
Operators of communal heat networks now have the opportunity to transform how residential communities are heated - adopting modern technologies and aligning with standards already established in leading countries - underpinned by new UK regulation to ensure fair and accurate billing for residents. These changes are explored in a new podcast that breaks down the complexities of managed residential developments, providing greater clarity for the people that call them home.
Heat networks generate heat centrally and distribute it to individual homes - an approach widely used overseas, with some networks supplying entire neighbourhoods. In the UK, networks are typically small-scale, serving single buildings or developments. The UK government aims to grow their share of the heat market from 3% in 2024 to 20% by 2050.
In the first episode of the Built, Managed, Lived podcast, hosted by property management company, FirstPort, it’s Head of Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, Mairead McErlean, sits down with Stuart Wilcox, Head of Critical Infrastructure, to discuss the developments in communal heat networks for residential sites, and also explore how new regulations introduced under The Energy Act will lead to clearer contracts, transparent pricing and stronger consumer protections.
They are also joined by a resident from a FirstPort-managed development in London to discuss the real-world impact residents can expect as heat networks move into a regulated sector.
Speaking on the first episode of the podcast, Stuart Wilcox commented: "Heat networks aren't necessarily new. Nordic countries in particular have been quite advanced on their heat network applications for many, many years, but we've seen that develop across most of Europe and into the UK."
“Performance is a cornerstone of what the new regulation brings in, but it's also going to increase consumer protection, and the resilience and reliability of a network.”
Episode One of Built, Managed, Lived. is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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