---
title: Economic Benefits of Community Heating
description: Profiling the hot topic of community heating, where high demand from consumers is generating employment and driving up energy efficiency
image: https://blog.switch2.co.uk/hubfs/images/Blogs/The_Top_Economic_Benefits_of_Community_Heating_Slideshare.jpg
---

![](https://blog.switch2.co.uk/hubfs/images/Blogs/The_Top_Economic_Benefits_of_Community_Heating_Slideshare.jpg)

# Economic Benefits of Community Heating

Kirsty Lambert

May 14, 2015

Read Time:

[Read more](https://blog.switch2.co.uk/blog/the-top-economic-benefits-of-community-heating#)

![The_Top_Economic_Benefits_of_Community_Heating_Slideshare_TOP](https://blog.switch2.co.uk/hubfs/images/Blogs/The_Top_Economic_Benefits_of_Community_Heating_Slideshare_TOP.jpg)

**From detailed customer metering through to employment opportunities, the rapidly-growing [community heating industry](https://www.switch2.co.uk/heat-networks/) offers economic benefits to everyone**

 

![The_Top_Economic_Benefits_of_Community_Heating_Slideshare](https://blog.switch2.co.uk/hubfs/images/Blogs/The_Top_Economic_Benefits_of_Community_Heating_Slideshare.jpg)

 

## It’s never been so important to get the best possible value from your energy payments...

Energy bills are rising almost five times faster than incomes.

Millions of people in the UK currently suffer from fuel poverty.

Community heating systems offer an efficient and effective solution.

They’re more environmentally-friendly than individual boiler-powered heating systems.

They’re efficient, reprocessing heat waste and delivering energy with minimal wastage.

Can be deployed where the only alternative would be electrical heating

But above all, they deliver a whole host of economic advantages.

Financially, it’s win-win for everyone...

 

## Community heating systems benefit...

## Consumers

These efficient systems minimise heat loss throughout the network, delivering more warmth.

[Individual billing via modern meters](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/3120/pdfs/uksi_20143120_en.pdf) provides detailed information about energy usage.  Which means consumers can make more informed decisions.

They can also choose to pay as they go on a property-by-property basis, thanks to domestic energy meters.

Growing economies of scale also have the potential to reduce monthly bills for consumers.

Community heating can be deployed as a cost effective solution where electrical heating is the only alternative.

 

## The Workforce

The [Department for Energy and Climate Change](http://www.building4change.com/article.jsp?id=2520#.VL6Q_IuzWUk) has made £9 million available to councils throughout England and Wales for developing district heating projects.

The Scottish Government’s ambitious carbon reduction targets are supported by startup loans from the [District Heating Loan Fund](http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-sources/19185/Heat).

The world’s first long-term [financial support programme](https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/increasing-the-use-of-low-carbon-technologies/supporting-pages/renewable-heat-incentive-rhi) for renewable heat incentives is open to anyone in the UK, from private homeowners to housing associations.

 

## The Economy

As fossil fuels decline, this fast-growing industry is creating new jobs throughout the energy sector.

Where there’s a power plant, local employment opportunities are huge.

Their focus on energy efficiency and minimising heat wastage is driving up building standards.

 

## The Environment

They are central to the EU’s [Europe 2020](http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/index_en.htm) plan to slash energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive requires close monitoring of community heating networks, targeting heat loss and improving overall efficiency.

Community heating schemes can be powered with biomass or waste materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

 

## Isn’t it time to take a closer look?

#### Takeaways:

- Community heating systems deliver many economic advantages.
- The [Department for Energy and Climate Change](http://www.building4change.com/article.jsp?id=2520#.VL6Q_IuzWUk) has made £9 million available to councils throughout England and Wales, when they develop district heating projects.
- With energy bills rising almost five times faster than incomes, it’s never been so important to maximise the value of domestic energy payments.
- Community heating schemes can be powered with biomass or waste materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

 

## Find out how to bring the benefits of community heating schemes to the UK. Get your free eGuide now: The ultimate guide to community heating.

[![New Call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/319495/e52a866a-085c-4799-870b-af7ebc562f65.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/319495/e52a866a-085c-4799-870b-af7ebc562f65)

## You may also like

1. Metering and billing
   
   #### Unmetered Series: Unmetered is unmanaged
   
   [Learn more →](https://blog.switch2.co.uk/blog/unmetered-is-unmanaged)
2. Metering and billing
   
   #### How to cut bills by up to 50% in under 12 months - even in exempt Sheltered Housing
   
   [Learn more →](https://blog.switch2.co.uk/blog/how-to-cut-bills-by-up-to-50-in-under-12-months-even-in-exempt-sheltered-housing)
3. #### Resident Benefits from Smart Metering
   
   [Learn more →](https://blog.switch2.co.uk/blog/the-appliance-of-science-how-residents-on-community-heating-schemes-can-benefit-from-the-latest-energy-technology)

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