As the Easter weekend fast approaches, we have compiled our top five favourite community heating blogs that are sure to make an interesting ‘spring read’. Covering topics on Regulation to customer engagement; make sure that you are in-the-know when it comes to what is happening within the heat network industry.

Spot the difference: Heat networks compared to gas and electricity

It goes without saying that residents want a reliable heating system that will heat their home whenever they need it and the right price. After all, 60 per cent of a household’s yearly energy bills is heating. Yet what exactly is the right price? People usually think about gas when comparing energy prices, but the comparison is not always that simple and straightforward as we discuss in this blog post.

The differences between community and district heating

It’s important to point out, that even the decentralised energy sector sometimes struggle to understand the differences between what is community heating and district heating. Variances can be the size, location of the plant room or even how many buildings are connected to one energy centre. We thought it would be most useful to demonstrate the differences and to clear up some of the common preconceptions, so we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.

An update to the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations

Established in 2014, the Heat Network Regulations was introduced as part of the transposition of the European Union’s Energy Efficiency Directive; a cornerstone in the UK Europe 2020 plan for member states to lower their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The Regulations relate to the distribution of thermal energy from a central source to more than one end user, building or location for the purposes of heating, cooling or hot water supply; on district and community heating. Our blog takes a look at the latest updates to the Regulation.

Setting fair and transparent community heating tariffs

With plans to increase the number of heat networks in the UK, questions are being asked whether existing customers are coping and if any lessons have been learned. Locked in with a heat supplier, customers often complain about the cost of bills and if they are getting value for money. Setting the right heat tariff is paramount. So it’s worth exploring the options available before deciding on the best one for you and your customers. Our blog takes a look at some of the key considerations to setting a fair and transparent tariff.

Futuristic district heating: Top five heat networks in the UK

Government backing and the proliferation of technology has meant that district heating in the UK is starting to shows its prowess as an answer to low carbon heat. Our latest blog looks at five local authority-led district heating schemes that are likely to revolutionise the market.

Key takeaways

• District heating is recognised as a low carbon form of getting heat and hot water into densely populated areas
• Regulation is helping to ensure community heating schemes are run fairly for each customer
• Heat tariffs must be set fairly and communicated effectively to residents so that they understand precisely how much their heat and hot water costs