PHAM NEWS | MARCH 2026 22 HeatPumps H


eat networks have long been viewed by successive governments as an effi cient


way to deliver heating and hot water at scale, particularly in cities. By serving multiple buildings from a single heat source, they off er a pathway to lower carbon emissions and greater energy effi ciency and are expected to provide a fi fth of the UK’s heat by 2050. As we accelerate towards net zero, these systems are evolving rapidly, with heat pumps emerging as a central technology in their future development. This decarbonising shift


refl ects both tightening policy requirements and growing confi dence in the performance and fl exibility of heat pump technologies.


Heat-source agnostic One important strength of heat networks is their inherent adaptability. They’re not locked into a single heat source and can be upgraded over time as technologies improve or policy priorities change. Multiple heat sources can be integrated within a single scheme, and obsolete equipment can be replaced at a larger scale in one go. This fl exibility ensures resilience, scalability and long-term value for money. Traditionally, most heat


networks used large gas or biomass boilers to generate heat through carbon- producing combustion. However, new schemes are increasingly being designed around renewable sources, and some existing ones are being updated, using heat pumps to repurpose waste heat from the air, the ground, rivers or nearby infrastructure. Structures such as data centres, factories and even the London Underground are all being utilised in this way.


Flexible effi ciency As well as their use of renewable heat sources, heat pumps off er the signifi cant advantage of being far more effi cient than combustion technologies. For every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity used, a heat pump typically delivers between 2-5 kWh of heat, compared with less than 1 kWh from a gas boiler. According to the Carbon Trust, replacing a boiler with a heat pump can reduce carbon emissions by around 60%, with further


The potential growth of heat networks


Rapid changes in technology and regulations are opening up signifi cant opportunities for heating engineers with the right skills to help meet the rising demand for heat networks powered by heat pumps. Jarrad Bedford, head of solutions at Insite Energy, explains more.


improvements expected as the national electricity grid continues to decarbonise. Air source heat pumps


Jarrad Bedford Head of solutions at Insite Energy


CUT TO THE CHASE


 Heat networks can use multiple heat sources to serve the same scheme


 ASHP-powered heat networks are starting to gain in popularity because of their versatility


 The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme will introduce standards covering the entire lifecycle of a system


 Those with the necessary expertise are in high demand


(ASHPs), in particular, are gaining traction within heat networks because of their versatility. They can be installed in a wide range of locations, including on rooftops or external walls, opening up opportunities in dense urban areas where space is limited. Although ASHP-powered heat networks are still relatively rare, they are becoming increasingly common, especially in new developments where planning policy favours low-carbon solutions. A clear illustration of this


trend can be seen in Barnet, North London, where a large residential development is served by a heat network powered by 12 x 42kW ASHPs. The system supplies more than 230 homes and is estimated to operate around three times more effi ciently than an equivalent gas-fi red network. Combining heat networks


with heat pumps like this off ers a clear route to achieving the high Energy


Performance Certifi cate (EPC) ratings now demanded by planning authorities. The London Plan, for example, prioritises both heat networks and heat pumps as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. It aligns closely with the government’s Future Homes Standard, which will ban gas boilers in new homes from 2027.


Future changes Looking ahead, so-called fi fth- generation heat networks are beginning to attract attention. Known as ambient loops, they circulate water at much lower temperatures, typically between 10-30°C, compared to the usual fl ow temperature of 50-70°C. Individual heat pumps within each dwelling then raise the temperature to meet household space heating and hot water requirements. This dramatically reduces wastage from heat losses, lowers installation costs by removing the need for heavily insulated pipework, and can simplify retrofi t projects by allowing existing pipes to be retained. As innovation accelerates,


regulation is also evolving. Zones are being designated


in cities with high density demand and infrastructure, where new developments and certain large buildings may be required to connect to a heat network. In parallel, the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), due to launch next year, will introduce standards covering the entire lifecycle of a system, from design and installation through to operation, maintenance, metering and decommissioning. Anyone involved with working on heat network equipment will need to be across these new requirements, providing appropriate guidance and support to clients as they necessarily adapt to the changes.


Upskilling opportunity The transition from gas- based systems to large, interconnected, low- temperature heat networks powered by heat pumps requires specialised knowledge. Just as car mechanics had to learn about computer diagnostics in the 1990s, heating engineers accustomed to boilers must develop new competencies, a process that can take several years. Consequently, a rapidly widening skills gap is developing, which in turn means that those with the necessary expertise are in increasingly high demand. Training programmes,


such as the Level 4 Building Services Technician apprenticeship, are beginning to address this gap, alongside fast-track routes for experienced engineers. However, wider uptake across the industry will be essential if heat pump-powered networks are to deliver their full potential. Taken together, policy


support, technical innovation and growing operational experience point to a clear direction of travel. Heat networks powered by heat pumps are no longer a niche solution but a practical, scalable route to decarbonising our cities. While challenges remain, particularly around skills and delivery capacity, the combination of effi ciency, fl exibility and future- proofi ng, places heat pump heat networks fi rmly at the heart of the UK’s low-carbon heating strategy, off ering big opportunities for agile heating professionals. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/326/34


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