Heat network customers are set to receive improved protections over their energy bills.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, along with Lord Callanan, have announced the government's response to a consultation, marking the latest advancement in safeguarding consumers connected to heat networks.

The proposed regulations aim to provide better consumer rights for more than half a million households and businesses linked to heat networks. These regulations include compensation for heating loss, fairer pricing, and clearer billing, aligning heat network customers' rights with those of traditional gas and electricity consumers. Additionally, enhanced protections will be extended to vulnerable customers, such as the elderly or those with health conditions.

Lord Callanan emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable protections for all energy consumers, including those utilizing heat networks, as these systems are expected to play a significant role in transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

With over 500,000 households and businesses currently connected to heat networks across Great Britain, the proposed regulations have garnered widespread support from industry bodies, consumer groups, and heat network customers.

Once implemented, the regulations will be overseen by Ofgem, empowering them to intervene in cases of disproportionate pricing, poor customer service, and reliability issues. The Energy Ombudsman will assist consumers with complaints against their heat network operators, while Citizens Advice and Consumer Scotland will provide advocacy and support services.

In addition to regulatory measures, the government is investing £32 million through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme to enhance heat networks' efficiency and reliability. Several projects, including upgrades to the Duffryn District Heating System and the Redcliffe Heat Network, have already received funding under this initiative.

The Heat Pump Ready Programme will further support the transition to cleaner heating solutions by providing funding to ten projects, totaling over £5 million, to develop tools and technologies for heat pump installations. This initiative aligns with the government's goal of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028.

The collaborative efforts of government, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders aim to ensure that heat network customers receive equitable protections and access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy services. Photo by Eric Lyus, Wikimedia commons.