They’re good for the environment and good for the economy: see how community heating schemes can make a real difference and what you need to consider to put your system in place.

The direction of travel for heat suppliers is about to become a lot more regulated and, judging by the response to our 17 Feb post on the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014, there is massive interest in receiving as much guidance as possible.

Rightly so and, with the first deadline for existing networks coming at the end of this month, we plan to follow this up next week with more information about what you need to do to comply.

But community heating isn’t just about rules and regulations. One of the greatest advantages is their lack of environmental impact compared to alternative energy provision.

Over the coming month we’ll take a closer look at this, including how less energy is wasted and how greater efficiency is an important outcome for everyone involved. Watch out for Natural Selection: the advantages and environmental benefits of community heating in a few weeks.

Green issues are certainly important but as the famous line in Jerry Maguire goes: “Show me the money!” That’s why we’ll turn our attention later this month to the The Top Economic Benefits of Community Heating.

Energy bills are rising almost five times faster than incomes and millions of people in the UK are suffering from fuel poverty, so it’s certainly a big issue. This is where community heating can help, with impressive economies of scale that can lead to significant benefits for consumers, the workforce, the economy and environment.

So far so good, but creating an efficient and effective system is a significant undertaking that needs careful planning. Look out for our Community Heating Project Checklist, coming soon, covering key areas such as cost, planning permission and how to get the system right for the community it will serve.

Last but not least will be our article on Reducing labour and maintenance costs with community heating, because when your scheme is up and running you’ve got to know how to manage it efficiently.

As we reported last week, energy consumption is a hot topic. But with all hands on deck and a lot of concerted effort, we can make a difference.

Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the energy industry. Take a look at Interface issue one.