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TS1 ushers in a new era of heat network assurance – what you need to know


Recently, a new technical standard, TS1, was published, marking the first major building block in the Government’s Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). Steve McConnell, director of the Manufacturers of Equipment for Heat Networks Association (MEHNA), explains how the heat network sector is set to undergo its most significant regulatory change


T


his is what the industry has been preparing for: a consistent set of rules for designing and operating heat networks that will ultimately


become mandatory across both new and existing installations. The overarching objective is one we all support: ensuring networks are designed and operated as intended, to deliver reliable and efficient heating for residents. With details of the standard now emerging, it’s time for building owners, operators and supply chain partners to understand what is expected of them, and the implications of the legislation to follow.


Why TS1 matters


For many years, the performance of heat networks has been under scrutiny. We all know examples where residents or building users are dissatisfied with cost or comfort due to poor design, commissioning or operation. There hasn’t been an independent mechanism to verify that systems are functioning as designed. The objective of TS1 is to change that.


It establishes the baseline for how heat networks 10 January 2026


Left: Steve McConnell, director of the Manufacturers of Equipment for Heat Networks Association (MEHNA)


What does TS1 cover?


TS1 is a detailed and lengthy document. Heat networks are complex systems with many variables that impact efficiency, reliability and user experience. The standard encompasses:


System design principles


must be specified, installed and maintained. It is the first in a suite of technical standards that will underpin the HNTAS legislation. TS1 focuses on the design and operation of the core heat network infrastructure from plant room to consumer interface, and sets the expectations against which third-party assessment will be carried out. Importantly, the scope is not restricted to new


installations. Once HNTAS is in force, all heat networks will require certification. While new projects will need to comply immediately, existing networks will be given a longer timeframe to meet the required standard. That does not mean the sector should wait; operators should begin preparing now.


¡ Plant room configuration ¡ Pipework, hydraulics, insulation and controls ¡ Network temperatures and efficiency requirements


¡ Hydronic balance and commissioning ¡ Ongoing operational performance ¡ Consumer-side interfaces and metering While stakeholders are still digesting the detail, the intention is clear: everything in the system must be planned and managed to a defined, consistent level. As more technical standards follow over the coming


months, the picture will become even clearer. TS1 may be the first release, but it is certainly not the last. The Government, through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), is taking a comprehensive approach and industry will need to keep pace.


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