Heat Networks: How to establish if you have responsibility

If you’re responsible for running a Heat Network, it has been a requirement since 2014, and the additional 2020 amendments which came into force on 27th November 2020, to adhere to the Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations legislation.

But if you’re new to them, how do you establish if it’s your responsibility? And what do you have to do to make sure you’re compliant?

Establishing if you’re responsible for a heat network

A heat supplier is defined as:

“Any person or organisation that supplies and charges for heating, cooling or hot water to customers through a heat network.”

Or to clarify further, as stated on the GOV.UK website:

“The beneficiary of the customers’ payments. Typically, the party who uses customers’ payments to pay fuel bills to keep the network running.”

So, if this sounds your responsibility as a new Landlord. Or the responsibility of your business or organisation, but you’re not submitting data, you need to make sure you take action and supply information to the UK Government.

What is the purpose of heat network regulations?

The main purposes of heat network regulations are to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from heating.

This is achieved by installing metering devices and billing based on consumption, which aims to decrease energy use and reduce consumer bills, resulting in carbon emission savings and transparent billing for customers on heat networks.

How to remain compliant

Organisations new to taking responsibility for a heat network must first submit a notification to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), before or on the day it becomes operational.

To do this, you must complete a Heat Notification form (with guidance from the User Guide) and return it in Excel format to: [email protected].

And you must submit a re-notification document every four years

It’s also your responsibility to inform the OPSS if your heat network ceases operating or if a new supplier takes over your network, as it then becomes a “regulated entity”. And under OPSS Regulations, must fulfil the obligations, including submission of re-notifications.

You can find out more about heat network regulations by downloading the Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations 2014 PDF. The document includes the 27th November 2020 amendments which confirm deadlines by which cost-effectiveness determinations and any required installations of metering devices must be completed.

Unsure where to start?

Making sure you’re compliant and doing everything right might feel overwhelming. Which is why Inteb can help you understand what information you need to submit to the OPSS.

There are a few things to consider before you submit your form, and one of those is to check which class your building is in, of which there are three:

• Viable class: where a customer meter is mandatory
• Open class: where the BEIS Cost Effectiveness Tool determines whether a customer is required to install meters or heat cost allocators before 27 November 2021
• Exempt class: where there is no requirement to install a metering device

Right now, you might feel completely confused, but Inteb can help you in five simple steps:

Step 1– We carry out a desktop study to identify which class (Viable, Open or Exempt) your building is in

Step 2  – We notify you which class your building is in, or inform you if your current building class has change, including using the BEIS Cost Effectiveness Tool to determine if you’re required to install meters or heat cost allocators before 27 November 2021

Step 3  – if further information is needed, and we’re unable to get it from a desktop study, a site survey is carried out

Step 4 –  A budget and your ROI is compiled

Step 5  – We implement recommendations to make sure you and your building are compliant with government regulations

And if that wasn’t enough, we’ll also explain how to complete your Heat Notification form.

Responsible for a Heat Network and need our help?

Let’s get the conversation started – call us now on 0151 601 3476