Heating the nation’s 28 million homes is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in the UK accounting for almost a fifth (18%) of total emissions.

As part of its pathway to net zero the UK government wants to increase the percentage of UK households connected to heat networks from 3% to 18%, with the government taking a position that heat networks are often the lowest cost, low carbon heating option for high density urban areas.

It is estimated that currently more than 1.1m people and more than 477,000 households are connected to a heat network in the UK with more than half of those households living in social housing.

The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) is being created to regulate heat networks to ensure that they meet a mandatory minimum level of performance and reliability.

The new standards are considered a crucial piece of regulation to help deliver better outcomes for both customers and more reassurance for investors who are expected to invest between £60-£80bn in new heat networks by 2050.

DESNZ first appointed FairHeat as lead technical author of HNTAS in 2022.

Over the past three years FairHeat has worked extensively to develop the technical foundations of HNTAS, including drafting the forthcoming HNTAS consultation documents and the new heat networks Technical Standard (TS1).

As part of its work on HNTAS so far FairHeat has engaged with around 111 organisations and 190 individuals to help deliver the UK’s first ever regulations for heat network performance.

News of the new appointment comes ahead of DESNZ publishing a consultation on HTNAS.

new contract ensures continuity of expertise as HNTAS moves into its final development phase before the new HNTAS regulations are officially introduced in 2026.

Gareth Jones, managing director and lead technical author, said: “HNTAS is a key component in the regulatory evolution of heat networks in Britain that will guarantee minimum levels of heat network performance for customers.

“Putting in place robust technical specifications and standards will help unlock billions of pounds of private sector investment into heat networks in the UK and support good consumer outcomes for millions of households decarbonising their heat supply.

“For heat networks to successfully support the UK’s transition to a secure, decarbonised heat sector we need to ensure that heat networks reach the right standards during design and build and most importantly that they continue to meet these standards during their many years of operation.

“FairHeat is extremely proud to continue supporting DESNZ at such a pivotal moment for the heat network industry.

“The extension of work by DESNZ is a testament to the depth and breadth of the skills and expertise in the FairHeat team and our collective belief that heat networks must provide reliable, efficient and affordable decarbonised heat for consumers.”