Heat networks

Heat networks provide heating, cooling and hot water to more than one property in a building or to more than one building from a central source. 

They do this using a system of:

• pipes
• Heat Interface Units (HIUs)
• heat exchangers
• substations
• energy centres

Heat networks are run by operators and suppliers. Operators control and maintain the network. Suppliers provide customers on the network with heating, cooling or hot water. Suppliers are the main point of contact for the customer.

Heat networks regulation

We regulate heat networks in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Our regulations focus on ensuring good outcomes for customers, including:

• good customer service
• improved reliability of supply
• transparent, easy to understand energy bills
• fair pricing

Heat networks regulation is being introduced in phases. So far:

• Citizens Advice, Consumer Scotland and Energy Ombudsman have launched advocacy, advice and redress services for heat networks customers
• all operating heat networks have been automatically authorised to continue to supply heating, cooling or hot water (this is called ‘deemed authorisation’)
• we have published a set of rules for heat network operators and suppliers, called authorisation conditions

Rules for heat network operators and suppliers

Operators and suppliers of most heat networks will need to meet the authorisation conditions relevant to them. We want to support them to do this over time, including with guidance and a fair and pragmatic compliance approach.

Read the full authorisation conditions.

Where the supplier is also the landlord for the property on the heat network, they should follow both the authorisation conditions and relevant housing legislation.

Register your heat network

Operators and suppliers of relevant heat networks must give us details about their heat network's organisation, ownership, financial resilience and consumer protection arrangements by 26 January 2027. This is called registration. 

From spring 2026, you can submit this information using our digital service. 

Exemptions from the rules 

You do not have to register:

• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), where a single house or building with shared facilities of a kitchen or bathroom is provided heating through a shared system
• converted buildings with domestic heating systems

These heat networks do not have to meet the authorisation conditions.

Contact us 

If you have any questions about heat networks regulation, contact us at heatnetworks.enquiries@ofgem.gov.uk

Related links

Licences and licence conditions

Get advice on heat networks

The Energy Ombudsman's Heat Network Supplier scheme