Gary Perry, managing director of Altecnic, said: “Heat networks deliver reliable heating and hot water while reducing energy consumption and lowering bills for the end user. Heat networks allow easy integration of various low carbon heat sources. When decentralised systems are done well, it is a real win-win for all those involved, as well as the environment.
“While the technology is well proven in the UK and across Europe, it is still relatively new to some specifiers and heating engineers. Sadly, because of this, some networks have suffered and are not performing as well as they should and this has led to some high profile bad press.
“In response, CIBSE and the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) have collaborated and produced a code of practice for heat networks, called CP1. Its aim is to raise standards and the understanding of heat networks right across the supply chain. As a manufacturer of heating interface units (HIUs) for such systems, we have always championed the CIBSE scheme.
“As CIBSE-approved heat network consultants, our specification managers and technical team are qualified to advise and help in the specification, sizing and design of schemes. It is in all of our interests that such schemes are successful and we have always gone above and beyond as a manufacturer by not only attaining CIBSE accreditation for our specification team, but also in the training and technical help that we provide for installation and maintenance engineers. Our CIBSE approved CPD seminars are another example of our will to improve the knowledge and understanding of heat network systems.”
The CIBSE CP1 code of practice on heat networks covers all forms of district heating, from communal building heat to large city-wide schemes. It is designed to apply to both new networks and extensions of existing networks.
The code specifies minimum requirements which must be met in order to produce a successful scheme and comply with the code. It then details further information on best practice for those looking to move beyond the minimum requirements.