How important are heat networks for social housing?

Decarbonising Social Housing

Social housing is a lifeline for millions of people across England, offering affordable and secure homes to those who need them most. With around 4.5 million social homes nationwide, this sector is essential for families and individuals who can’t afford market rents or homeownership.

As the country works toward reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency, social housing must be a key focus. These homes need to be warm, comfortable, and affordable to run — especially as 13% of households in England are in fuel poverty.

One way many social housing residents receive heating and hot water is through district or communal heat networks. These systems serve multiple homes from a central source, and government data shows that 150,000 housing association homes are connected to them. Other research suggests that up to one in twelve social homes may be linked to a heat network.

The Benefits of Heat Networks

Heat networks are a smart solution for densely populated areas. Instead of each home having its own boiler, a single system provides heating and hot water to many buildings. This setup reduces maintenance costs and makes it easier to switch to low-carbon energy sources.

They’re especially useful in tower blocks and apartment buildings, where installing individual systems would be more complex and expensive.

Challenges We Need to Address

While heat networks offer many advantages, some of the systems in use today are outdated. Many were installed in the 1960s and 70s and haven’t been upgraded since. This can lead to poor performance, unreliable service, and higher energy bills, which is a serious concern for social housing tenants who may already be struggling financially.

In fact, when the government last measured heat network performance in 2009, most systems were operating at just 35–45% efficiency. And although progress is being made, customers connected to heat networks still don’t have the same protections as those using traditional gas boilers.

How Government Schemes are Helping

There are a range of government-led schemes, including but not limited to:

• The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF)
• The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES)
• The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS)

These schemes are designed to increase heat network implementation, improve existing heat networks, and enhance their reliability. 

Government funding helps housing providers in upgrading their systems, reducing carbon emissions, and delivering better outcomes for residents. These projects support the UK’s Net Zero 2050 goals and ensures that improvements don’t come at the expense of tenants.

Looking Ahead

As the UK works to decarbonise home heating and transition to 100% clean electricity by 2030, it’s essential that no one is left behind. Achieving Net Zero isn’t just about tackling climate change — it’s also an opportunity to deliver a more affordable, secure, and resilient energy system. Heat network schemes play a key role in this transition, ensuring that those with the greatest need benefit from more efficient, sustainable heating solutions.

If you’d like to find out more about how Talan can support you on your Heat Network journey, please get in touch using the form below.