www.heatingandventilating.net
HEAT NETWORK CONFIDENCE OUTPACES PROGRESS IN SOCIAL HOUSING
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axi research has found that social housing providers and local authorities have good
experience of heat networks, but regulatory uncertainty and stretched capacity are slowing delivery. Baxi surveyed 100 housing associations and 102 local authorities and councils managing or operating heat networks this summer, alongside interviews with fi ve housing associations, a heat network consultant and heat network contractor. Heat networks are expected to meet 20% of UK heat demand by 2050, with an interim target of 7% by 2035, up from around 3% today. As local authorities and housing associations own and manage approximately two-thirds of all heat networks in the UK, these sectors will be central to that growth. Encouragingly, the survey found a sector that knows its assets well and is broadly positive about them. However, interviewees consistently described
organisational understanding as strong among a small number of lead individuals but weaker across the wider organisation, suggesting sector confi dence may rest on a narrower skills base than the survey alone implies. Awareness of regulation is uneven. Metering and billing
regulations were best recognised at 40%, followed by the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) at 38%, while zoning trailed at 24%. Interviewees distinguished between knowing a regulation exists and understanding what it requires and identifi ed HNTAS as the policy most frequently disrupting forward planning. Organisations are prioritising getting more from the assets they already have. Improving energy monitoring, heating controls and building management systems was the most common plan at 42%, ahead of developing or connecting new networks (40%) and upgrading existing ones (33%). Interviewees pointed to commercial viability, limited internal capital and uncertainty over future compliance standards as the main barriers to progress. Funding awareness is reasonably high, though each sector is most familiar with the scheme built for its own circumstances - 61% of local authorities knew of the Green Heat Network Fund against 43% of housing associations, while 56% of housing associations knew of the Heat Network Effi ciency Scheme (HNES) against 44% of local authorities. Interviewees were clear that access depends on more than procedural knowledge: match funding, technical evidence, internal capacity and budget cycles determine whether funding becomes a deliverable project. Respondents also want more support from manufacturers. Alongside technical support during planning (29%) and operation (30%), around a quarter sought help with funding applications (26%), business cases (25%), regulatory compliance (25%) and staff training (25%). Interviewees asked manufacturers to move beyond equipment supply towards lifecycle partnership, including early design input, training, commissioning support, maintenance guidance and resolution of defects.
Understanding the importance
of effi cient, reliable and aff ordable heat networks for social housing residents and local communities, Baxi is committed to supporting its growth across the UK. It has set out four policy recommendations for
government to remove the barriers slowing progress: ¡ Protect and expand HNES funding for optimisation studies, asset data and physical improvement works. ¡ Provide a clear and phased HNTAS implementation roadmap, with realistic transitional periods. ¡ Create recognised heat network skills and competency pathways covering technical and regulatory functions. ¡ Protect residents from unaff ordable metering, billing and compliance costs, with tailored safeguards for vulnerable households. Jeff House, Baxi director of external aff airs and policy,
said: “We’d like to see government remove the barriers slowing progress. Our ask is for government to provide a clear, phased route to compliance, protect and expand improvement funding, build recognised skills pathways, and ensure additional costs do not fall on residents.”
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BAXI STRENGTHENS HEAT NETWORK TEAM WITH NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
axi has appointed Jonathon Hunter Hill as business development
manager within its specialist heat network division, strengthening its support for customers across the heat network and multi-occupancy sectors. Jonathon brings nearly 15 years’ mechanical engineering experience spanning low-carbon heat and ventilation, heat networks and energy centre strategy. He joins Baxi from SAV Systems, where he led to-market strategy for the energy centres team. In his new role, Jonathon will focus on developing new business and helping customers deliver eff ective, lower-carbon heat solutions for heat networks and multi- occupancy buildings. Jonathon Hunter Hill said: “I believe heat networks
are one of the most eff ective routes to decarbonising heat at scale, while also supporting grid fl exibility and energy security. It’s a view I explored in depth in my MBA research, and it’s why I’m committed to tackling fuel poverty and reducing the energy the UK uses for heat. I’m looking forward to joining Baxi and working with customers to deliver heat networks that perform as well in operation as they do on paper.”
INDUSTRY NEWS Inbrief
New industry research from test equipment specialists Martindale Electric reveals that only 55% of electrical professionals always follow the safe isolation procedure in full before starting work – despite 86% saying they are very familiar with it.
https://martindale-electric.co.uk/
Over 450 members and guests enjoyed a lavish celebration of young talent at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) Industry Awards. Seventy companies and individuals were recognised across 21 award categories with a particular focus on young achievers.
www.thebesa.com
Norwich-based national heating and renewables fi rm Macbrook Group is celebrating its 10th anniversary by unveiling ambitious plans for further expansion, including the recruitment of a new chief operating offi cer to help drive the business from £23 million turnover to £30 million.
www.macbrookgas.co.uk/
City Plumbing has announced a discounted training package for installers upskilling to meet heat pump demand.
www.cityplumbing.co.uk/ content/partner-training RWC is bringing its plumbing and heating ranges together under the John Guest brand across the UK and EMEA. The move brings a broader range of solutions for domestic and commercial plumbing and heating applications under one trusted name.
www.johnguest.com/gb/en
Swift Fire Compliance, the fi re safety subsidiary of Swiftclean, is celebrating 12 months in operation. Specialists in industry best-practice when it comes to fi re dampers and kitchen extract cleaning, the company’s services help businesses comply with the Building Safety Act 2022, brought in following the Grenfell tragedy. https://swiftfi
recompliance.co.uk/
A trial of Mitsubishi Electric’s new R32 City Multi YXM VRF system has delivered a 31% annual reduction in energy use and running costs, when trialled against an existing R410A system.
les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/
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