Glossary Glossary 2026-06-09
What is a heat network?
A heat network (also known as district heating) is a system that supplies heat from a central source to multiple buildings through a network of insulated pipes.
Instead of each building having its own boiler, heat is generated centrally and distributed as hot water for heating and hot water use.
Why heat networks are important
Heat networks are a key part of the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy because they:
- Enable the use of low-carbon and renewable heat sources
- Improve energy efficiency at scale
- Reduce reliance on individual gas boilers
- Support urban and large estate decarbonisation
They are particularly effective in cities, campuses, hospitals, and housing developments.
How heat networks work
A typical system includes:
- A central energy centre - generates heat using sources such as heat pumps, waste heat, or combined heat and power (CHP)
- Distribution network - insulated underground pipes carry hot water to buildings
- Heat interface units (HIUs) - transfer heat into individual buildings or dwellings
Heat networks in practice
Heat networks are widely used in:
- Social housing developments
- Local authority regeneration projects
- NHS and university campuses
- Mixed-use urban developments
They are often delivered as part of a wider energy or decarbonisation strategy.
Low-carbon heat networks
Modern heat networks are increasingly designed to be low carbon, using:
- Air or ground source heat pumps
- Waste heat recovery (e.g. from industry or data centres)
- Biomass or other renewable sources
Frequently asked questions
Heat networks can support decarbonisation by replacing individual gas boilers with centralised systems that use low-carbon or renewable heat sources.
These sources can include air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, waste heat recovery, biomass and other renewable technologies.
District heating is another term for a heat network. It refers to a system where heat is generated centrally and distributed to multiple buildings across a local area or district.
This approach can improve efficiency and make it easier to introduce low-carbon heat at scale.
Organisations with large estates usually deliver net zero through a phased decarbonisation programme. This helps them plan, prioritise and fund improvements over time.
For public sector estates, housing portfolios and commercial buildings, these programmes are often aligned with funding schemes, compliance frameworks and wider operational priorities.
Heat networks are commonly used in social housing developments, local authority regeneration projects, NHS and university campuses, mixed-use urban developments and dense urban areas.
They are particularly useful where a shared heating system can serve multiple buildings efficiently.
With individual boilers, each building or dwelling generates its own heat. With a heat network, heat is generated centrally and distributed to multiple buildings through insulated pipes.
This centralised approach can make it easier to improve efficiency, introduce low-carbon heat sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuel heating.
Low-carbon heat networks use renewable or low-carbon sources to generate heat, rather than relying on traditional fossil fuel systems.
Modern heat networks may use air or ground source heat pumps, waste heat from industry or data centres, biomass or other renewable sources.