Switch2Energy, the community heating specialist, has published a free guide on how to design and implement heat networks around the needs of residents.

The Joined Up Thinking Guide to Community Heating advises developers and landlords on the steps they must take to place customers at the centre of their heat network plans.

New rules under the CIBSE Heat Networks Code of Practice, the Heat Trust scheme, and Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations, are explained in the guide. By following such best practice, community heat suppliers can ensure that they prioritise customer needs and raise performance standards.

The guide explains the step-by-step process to getting community heating schemes right, from complying with mandatory rules and voluntary codes, to smart metering and fair and flexible billing, to meeting guaranteed performance standards and putting in place fault reporting and complaints procedures via effective communication channels.

Director of business development at Switch2, Kirsty Lambert (pictured), said: 'As the industry matures, there's been a marked shift in focus from the technical nuts and bolts to customer service. After all, it's the residents who fund the long-term delivery and operation of community heating schemes, so a relentless focus on the end-user is required. It's especially important to improve flexibility and transparency for customers, particularly around energy consumption management and payment and billing.'

Click on the link at http://ow.ly/lAtc3036bZJ to download the Joined Up Thinking Guide to Community Heating