Heat networks – a key part of the UK’s low-carbon future
As the UK transitions towards net zero, finding cleaner, more efficient ways to heat homes and businesses is one of the biggest challenges facing the energy sector. Heat networks are emerging as an important part of the solution, offering a way to deliver low-carbon heat at scale while making better use of local energy resources.
At Salix we have worked with a number of heat network projects and understand the difference they are making to our communities.
- Worthing Borough Council
- Bradford College
- Milton Keynes University Hospital
- Bristol City Leap
- Comberton Village College
Also, speaking on the first episode of Tomorrow’s Energy, Stephen Knight, chief executive of the Heat Trust, explained why heat networks will be essential to decarbonising towns and cities, while also highlighting the importance of putting consumers at the heart of the transition.
What are heat networks?
Heat networks distribute heat from a central source to multiple buildings through a network of insulated underground pipes. Rather than every property relying on its own boiler, homes and businesses receive heating and hot water from a shared system.
This approach creates opportunities to capture and use heat that would otherwise be wasted, improving efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
The government has a target to increase the number of homes on heat networks from the current 3% to 20% by 2050.
Why are heat networks important?
- Support decarbonisation by reducing reliance on individual gas boilers.
- Make use of waste heat from industry, energy generation or other local sources that would otherwise be lost.
- Reduce pressure on the electricity network, avoiding the need for every building to rely on individual electric heating systems during periods of peak demand.
- Provide long-term infrastructure that can continue to evolve as cleaner heat sources become available.
Putting consumers first
While the technology is changing, consumer expectations remain the same.
In our podcast, Tomorrow’s Energy Stephen Knight said: “Most consumers want heating and hot water to be pretty much invisible. We want it to work reliably every time, and we want it to be as low cost as it can be.”
Delivering reliable, affordable heating must remain the priority throughout the transition.
Lessons for the future
In our podcast, Tomorrow’s Energy, Stephen Knight said that not every heat network has delivered the expected benefits. Some schemes have become expensive because they relied heavily on gas, while others have suffered from poor design, high heat losses or insufficient regulation.
Future projects should focus on:
- Using genuinely low-cost, low-carbon heat sources
- Investing in high-quality, efficient infrastructure
- Financing networks as long-term national infrastructure
- Ensuring robust regulation and consumer protection
- Designing systems that minimise heat losses and maximise efficiency.
Looking ahead
Heat networks will not be the right solution everywhere, but they are expected to play a vital role in decarbonising densely populated towns and cities. Heat networks look set to be a critical part of the UK’s future energy system.
Heat Trust
Heat Trust is independent and not for profit. Since 2015, it has run a voluntary consumer-protection scheme and acted as a consumer champion for heat networks in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
Heat Trust’s founding principle is that all energy consumers should be guaranteed a minimum level of service and protection, regardless of how they get their heating and hot water.
