DISTRICT HEATING/HEAT NETWORKS
CT HEATING CONCEPTS AND DELIVERY
The theoretical performance of the finished system is important, but so are the realities of installation. A heat network that looks impressive on paper still has to be installed safely, correctly and in a way that minimises complication or risk. Digital tools should take into account how materials bend, connections needed, elevations and a host of other factors that enable designers to properly plan for installation practicality. It is here that material knowledge and visual
outputs can prove to be a significant advantage, and access to a quality design platform or support will mean designers can see heat losses, pressure fluctuations, flow paths and velocity throughout the network. This visibility means teams can identify sections that may cause problems early and make the necessary adjustments long before the installation begins. A practical but very helpful advantage of software support is the ability to generate a bill of materials that they can simply hand over to procurement teams. The material list can also be split into a project by phases, material types and component uses, which helps procurement teams fulfil their role, and for logistics and management teams to intelligently plan out the project, contributing to the overall scheme’s success.
ADDRESSING ISSUES EARLY Tools such as REHAU’s new advanced design
support package, underpinned by software, allows heat network design teams to bridge the feasibility gap by providing clear and practical information on a design’s hydraulics, the installation process, combinations of materials, and impact of the diversity factor, and generate a bill of materials. It also supports teams by providing visualisations of designs, enabling them to make changes early on in the process. The new software plays a critical role in derisking
design and supporting potential projects from the ‘feasibility’ stage through the ‘design’ phase, ready for the construction phase, quickly and efficiently. Currently, district heating supplies around 2% of
the UK’s heating and hot water. The potential – and the ambition – is much larger and as this market grows, the tools that are available to professionals need to keep up in order for heat networks to be technically sound, commercially workable and straightforward to deliver and maintain. The expertise of design and engineering professionals is the fundamental resource that these networks are built upon, and with the right tools, they can create flexible, increasingly efficient heat
“By working closely with REHAU and gaining access to their knowledge and
software tools, district heating teams can play a leading
role in the delivery of energy efficient heating”
network designs that support the broader planning and installations teams. By working closely with REHAU and gaining access to their knowledge and software tools, district heating teams can play a leading role in the delivery of energy efficient heating, playing their part in the UK’s ongoing drive to lower emissions and protect the planet.
Franz Huelle
Rehau
REHAU.com
HEAT NETWORKS: THE SMART PATH TO FHS-COMPLIANT HOMES
The Government has confirmed that from March 2027 new homes will need to move away from fossil-fuel-based heating to achieve compliance to the Future Homes Standard (FHS). Alongside individual systems, there are
alternative networked low-carbon heating solutions that are already proven at scale, including GTC’s Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps and Community Heat Hubs, with tens of thousands of homes already contracted nationwide. Community Heat Hubs and Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps offer a competitive and efficient route to compliance, all while easing pressure on the grid and carrying a lower build cost than individual systems. Neal Herbert, managing director at GTC,
said: “There is growing recognition that a mix of technologies will be needed to deliver decarbonisation at scale. Our networked solutions are designed to support housebuilders with efficient, flexible and cost-effective options, while also helping to manage electrical demand and deliver long-term value for residents. We also own and operate the networks, meaning homeowners benefit from a fully managed service without the need to maintain or replace equipment.” GTC’s Networked Ground Source Heat Pump
solution supports housebuilders in meeting the Future Homes Standard by reducing carbon emissions by 75-80% from day one, while delivering high and consistent efficiencies
www.essmag.co.uk
throughout the year. The system offers up to five times the efficiency of gas and higher, stable, year-round efficiency when compared with individual air source heat pumps. Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps operate
with a lower electrical load per plot, comparable to that of a traditional gas-heated home, helping to reduce pressure on local electricity networks and limiting the need for costly grid reinforcement. When compared with individual air source heat pumps, the networked system can reduce electricity grid capacity requirement by up to 50%. The solution also provides a complete, end-to-end approach to heating, hot water and cooling, with passive cooling supporting compliance with Part O of the Building Regulations. For residents, this translates into a heat solution
which supports lower whole-home energy costs - typically around 40% for a Future Homes Standard-compliant home against the UK average gas-heated home, and up to 15% compared to individual air source heat pumps. Residents benefit from a greener system that offers reliable year- round performance and easy-to-use smart controls. The integrated smart thermostat optimises heating schedules for greater efficiency and comfort – with residents able to control their heating and hot water from anywhere via an intuitive app. The Networked Ground Source Heat Pump system is regulated by OFGEM, offering protection on pricing and service standards, and
is supported and maintained for life. GTC’s Community Heat Hub solution also
enables compliance with the Future Homes Standard, delivering the same levels of carbon reduction from day one. By using centralised thermal storage, it helps manage and smooth a site’s electrical demand profile, which contributes to lower peak demand across a development – reducing the cost of electrical infrastructure. The model benefits from economies of scale, offering cost efficiencies on a per-plot basis and simple, familiar connections for housebuilders, with installation comparable to traditional gas and water networks. It also frees up internal space within homes, as there is no need for individual hot water storage tanks, and is delivered through a fully integrated, in-house design and installation process. Residents benefit from energy cost savings of around 40%, when used alongside other efficiency measures, in a typical Future Homes Standard-compliant home against the UK average gas heated home as well as improved external aesthetics due to the absence of outdoor equipment. As with GTC’s other solutions, the service is regulated by OFGEM and fully owned and maintained by GTC, ensuring a seamless, all-inclusive service where maintenance, repairs and system management are handled centrally.
GTC
www.gtc-uk.co.uk ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Summer 2026 27
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