The remit of the new regulator for heat networks, Ofgem, is to improve consumer experience of communal and district heating. It is mobilising rapidly, with its digital reporting portal set to go live in early 2026. Now is the time for housing providers to act and make sure they are prepared.
Part of the way Ofgem is working to improve consumer experience is by addressing widespread inefficiency in communal and district heating. The consultation for technical standards is due for imminent release, but there is no need to wait for details of the standards to act.
We already know the standards will steer heat networks towards optimisation, and we know new reporting requirements beginning in 2026 will include providing Ofgem with full details of each heat network a housing provider operates.
This is why Chirpy Heat is supporting housing providers now to get that information ready, secure funding towards costs and then take a deep dive into exactly what is holding their heat networks back from working at their best.
Time-limited discount
To get prepared for new regulations and to reap the benefits of better performing heat networks, Chirpy Heat has set out four steps housing providers can take to boost their efficiency.
If you want to start your optimisation journey now, Chirpy Heat is offering a discounted rate and a free regulation briefing for 10 Asset Registers commissioned before 1st January 2026.
1. Asset Register and Condition Report
Ofgem reporting will require housing providers to have key information about their physical heat network assets.
If you are a housing provider, Chirpy Heat will make a site visit to every one of your heat networks to build an asset register and condition report which brings all the information regarding the communal and district heating system together, as well as any issues identified on site.
It is a timely step to take and will also empower you to improve ongoing management, such as repairs and maintenance and asset budget planning.
2. Performance Review for Efficiency/Carbon
Understanding network performance will form another part of Ofgem reporting when full regulation is introduced.
Chirpy Heat will undertake desktop efficiency reviews to identify poorly performing heat networks.
This is an important step which enables the prioritisation of heat networks for optimisation opportunities, such as the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) revenue and capital funding.
3. Funding Assistance
Government funding is available for improving existing district and communal heating projects in England and Wales that are operating sub-optimally.
Chirpy Heat can make the application for HNES revenue funding free of charge. When granted, it covers the cost of a Chirpy Heat optimisation survey.
We also support with subsequent HNES capital funding, which can be used towards implementing necessary optimisation measures.
4. Optimisation Surveys
Many legacy heat networks display issues such as low overall efficiency, poor reliability and high numbers of outages – all leaving housing providers facing higher running costs, decreased life cycle of components and, ultimately, customer complaints.
Chirpy Heat’s CIBSE-certified heat network engineers will carry out a site survey, looking at current setup, equipment and operations within the plant room, across the distribution system and within individual dwellings.
The survey identifies optimisation measures that can then be implemented to improve performance.
Your optimisation journey
Heat network regulation is upon us so now is the time to get up to speed and make full use of Chirpy Heat’s expertise and the funding available to manage the changes and stay on track.
Get in touch with us at simplybetterheatnetworks@chirpyheat.com to discuss how we can support your journey to compliance and help to deliver simply better heat networks.