Heat Network Regulations
Everything you need to know about the heat networks regulation and what help is available
What is happening on consumer protections for heat network consumers?
The government consulted on ‘Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections’ and published its response on 8 August 2025. Ofgem is now consulting on its draft guidance on protections for heat network consumers. This draft guidance relates to the rules and requirements set out in the government’s heat network authorisation conditions, covering:
- Standards of Conduct
- Quality of Service
- Billing and Transparency
- Back-billing
- Heat Supply Contracts
- Protections for Consumers in Vulnerable Situations, and
- Security of Supply.
The Heat Network submitted a joint response with the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing. Social landlords with Heat Networks should read the draft guidance.
What is happening on the Fair pricing consultation?
Ofgem published a consultation on a fair pricing guidance for heat networks, which includes a cost allocation guidance framework for heat networks. The consultation on the ‘Heat networks regulation: fair pricing protections guidance’ closes the 27th of October 2025.
The Heat Network will be submitting and publishing a response relevant to social landlords.
What is happening on Technical standards for existing heat networks?
Government started piloting the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) on new networks in January 2025 and in August started a pilot on eight existing heat networks. This pilot is evaluating the Performance Improvement Plan process that sets out the actions an existing network would need to take to meet HNTAS certification requirements. Lessons will be applied to ensure proportionality and deliverability. The new technical standards will ensure that new and existing heat networks are designed, built and operated to a good standard.
What should social landlords do now?
Register to receive DESNZ Heat Networks Newsletters and Ofgem updates. Heat Network teams should study all the proposals and guidance for existing heat networks and register for DESNZ and Ofgem webinars to understand what is being proposed in the new regulations. They should also review their customer service and record keeping to ensure they can comply with the new regulations. Good record keeping will be essential to comply.
What help is available?
The Heat Network is a forum to discuss and share good practice about district and communal heating within social housing. It brings together its own communal heat experiences, shares lessons and some short guidance documents to help colleagues across the sector. It also acts as a conduit for social housing input into national heat network policy.
The NHMF organised a workshop at its 2025 Conference dedicated to the Heat Network Regs. This workshop enabled social landlords to understand what will be required by these new regulations and will help comply and the slides can be found HERE.
The NHMF promotes best practice in social housing maintenance and is committed to championing innovation to deliver excellence in maintenance and asset management. An organisation automatically becomes a member when it subscribes to the M3NHF Schedule of Rates and selected modules. Its Best Practice website publishes briefings on asset management and repairs and maintenance, including links to all the relevant legislation and guidance.
DESNZ’s Newsletters keep landlords up to date and notify them of webinars, training, and other help that the Government is providing to help the sector understand and comply with the new Heat Network Regulations. This is the October newsletter.
To receive Ofgem updates, email: heatnetworksregulation@ofgem.gov.uk.
DESNZ’s previous Market Engagement Webinar recordings are available here.
The NHMF acknowledges the help and advice from Rachael Mills, The Heat Network.
