New research from Baxi has found that social housing providers and local authorities have good experience of heat networks, but regulatory uncertainty and stretched capacity are slowing delivery.
84% of respondents reported having a good or very good experience of heat networks, and 82% have a high or very high understanding of them. 76% were confident in their plans for engaging with heat networks and the associated regulations, but housing associations (85%) were more confident than local authorities (68%).
Organisations want manufacturers to act as lifecycle partners, predominantly regarding technical support, rather than just equipment suppliers.
Baxi surveyed 100 housing associations and 102 local authorities and councils responsible for managing or operating heat networks this summer, alongside in-depth interviews with five housing associations, a heat network consultant and heat network contractor.
Heat networks are expected to meet 20% of UK heat demand by 2050, with an interim target of 7% by 2035, up from around 3% today. As local authorities and housing associations own and manage approximately two-thirds of all heat networks in the UK, these sectors will be central to that growth.
Jeff House, Director of External Affairs and Policy at Baxi, said: “It’s encouraging to see from our research that there is high confidence in heat networks amongst social housing providers, but we’d like to see the government remove the barriers slowing progress. Our ask is for government to provide a clear, phased route to compliance, protect and expand improvement funding, build recognised skills pathways, and ensure that additional costs do not fall unfairly on residents.”
Image: Baxi
