Heat networks urged for high-rise homes by Power On

Power On has positioned heat networks as its answer to the challenge high-rise housing faces under the Future Homes Standard, arguing they are the only feasible and cost-effective option for taller residential schemes.

It says policy measures focused on technologies such as individual solar panels and air source heat pumps do not translate easily to tower blocks, where installing equipment for every flat can be impractical and may affect building appearance.

For high-rise and high-density developments, Power On uses two systems: Community Heat Hubs and Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps. More than 20,000 homes are already contracted to its heat network systems.

It argues both approaches can help developers meet lower-carbon heating rules while avoiding some of the space, grid and design constraints involved in fitting separate systems in each home.

Two models

Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps draw heat from the ground through a network of underground pipes, with individual heat pumps installed inside each building rather than mounted outside. This removes the need for external units and allows heating, hot water and passive cooling to be supplied across larger sites.

Power On says the model can cut electricity grid capacity requirements by up to 50% compared with individual air source heat pumps, reducing the need for off-site grid reinforcement and lowering the number of substations needed on a development.

It also says the system can reduce carbon emissions by 75% to 80% from the outset and help meet Part O of the Building Regulations through passive cooling. Combined with measures such as solar PV, it says residents could save about 40% on whole-home energy costs in a Future Homes Standard home compared with an average UK gas-heated three-bed semi-detached home.

Community Heat Hubs take a different approach, centralising heat production for an entire site through large air source heat pumps and thermal stores. This removes the need for individual external heat pumps and internal hot water storage in each apartment.

According to Power On, developers could save up to £1,000 per plot and reduce peak site electrical demand by up to 15% compared with fitting individual air source heat pumps. It adds that removing hot water tanks also frees up internal space in flats.

Developer advice

Neil Fitzsimons, managing director of Power On, said the timetable for the Future Homes Standard was longer than expected, but argued developers should move ahead now rather than delay.

"Heat networks are the perfect solution for the low-carbon heat and hot water needs of the UK, and they are the only feasible and cost-effective solution for high rise buildings.

"The Future Homes Standard has given a longer timescale than was expected, or than we wanted, but our advice to developers is not to wait. Low carbon solutions are available now and they are cheaper than the traditional options if they are networked to provide for whole communities," said Fitzsimons.

He described heat networks as an immediate answer rather than a longer-term prospect.

"Heat networks are the low-carbon, low-cost solution of the future, being delivered now," he said.

Regulation and management

Power On says heat networks, including both Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps and Community Heat Hubs, fall under Ofgem regulation, giving residents protections on pricing and service standards.

The systems it builds are owned and managed by sister company Metropolitan, which has more than 15 years of experience in heat network management and serves more than 10,000 customers. Its customer contact centre is based in Cardiff.

Power On says this arrangement means residents do not have to maintain or replace heating equipment themselves, or deal separately with breakdowns, because service is included in a single billed arrangement.

Power On is part of BUUK Infrastructure Group, which employs more than 2,000 people and operates networks serving more than 3 million homes.