Heat networks are a centralised generation source that deliver heating, hot water and cooling to multiple buildings. There are a number of benefits for organisations to have a heat network including reducing energy generation costs, supporting local regeneration and cutting carbon emissions.
Organisations that have a heat network must provide the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) with detailed information about their networks every four years.
Heat decarbonisation is the next big challenge in meeting the UK Government’s aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. In 2020 changes were made to the Heat Network Metering and Billing Regulations to encourage more heat networks to decarbonise. These changes may impact organisations who have a heat network so they may now need to notify the OPSS, install metering into their buildings, or both. These changes and drive to increase transparency reflect the Government’s commitment to raise consumer protections for those on heat networks.
If you already notify the OPSS of your Heat Network Notification every four years, then you will need to continue to do so to stay compliant. We can help by completing and submitting your Heat Network Notification on your behalf every four years.
Yes, if you have a heat network and metering already in place, you must submit your heat networks notification to the OPSS every four years.
This notification must be provided on the day of or before the heat network becomes operational. A separate notification must be submitted for each heat network.
If your organisation has a heat network but does not currently have metering in place, you may find you need to install metering to comply with legislation.
As part of the changes to the regulations, the Government has introduced three building classes that split buildings into three categories, that define how organisations need to comply. These are:
Following the change in regulations, organisations have only twelve months to identify the class of their buildings and the steps they need to take to comply. If an organisation’s building is Open class, they must assess if metering needs to be installed by 27 November 2021, and the installation must be completed by 1 September 2022.
If your organisation requires or has heat metering in place, you should charge your tenants based on their metered consumption, however if you are midway through a lease agreement you may not be able to. When your tenant’s agreement is then renewed or updated, you must legally bill your tenants for their metered consumption separate to any other tenant charges.
If you need support determining the scope of the metering in your building, our suite of metering support services are available to help you. Our expert energy consultants can assess your on-site metering capabilities, create a business case development to support the installation, run a tendering process to find the right agency for you, and provide an assessment of available vendors to ensure you are meeting your organisation’s metering requirements.
As a heat network operator, you have until 1 September 2022 to install metering if required. If you miss this deadline, you could be fined up to 100% of the costs of fulfilling the remaining requirements. In some instances, the fine can match or even exceed the cost of installing the metering.
With over 35 years’ of energy and sustainability consultancy experience, we can work with you to ensure you are compliant with the recent Heat Network Regulation changes by the deadline.
If you need support with your Heat Network Notification we can:
If you need support determining the scope of the metering in your building, our suite of metering support services are available to help you.
If your organisation chooses to bill tenants, our suite of comprehensive Tenant Billing Management services are available to help you.