The Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations 2014
Under the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014, Landlords, Developers and Managing Agents that provide heat to residents through a District Heating System are legally seen as the Heat Supplier.
As Managing Agents are responsible for ensuring their clients comply with relevant legislation, they need to undertake the statutory notification on behalf of their clients.
The law reflects developments in heat supply, whereas electricity is delivered in its final usable form and tightly monitored. Heat has typically been delivered as gas or oil supply and converted by boiler plant and HVAC systems into heat, chill and hot water. District Heating changes this; as heat is supplied in its final form, either to the building itself or to the resident in their apartment. Because this is relatively new, it has been unregulated until now, with the regulations designed to help raise the standards of accountability for Heat Networks. So, are you ready?
The Basic Requirements
Multi-Customer Building
Building level meters are expected to already be in place for buildings with more that one final customer. Its role is to measure heat, chill or hot water supplied from a District Heat Network.
Single-Customer Building
For buildings with just one final customer, a viability assessment must have been completed with individual meters installed by the Heat Supplier where required from December 2014.
There is a mandatory requirement for meters to be installed to measure heat, chill or hot water for final customers where District Heating is connected to a new building or following a major renovation.
Future Risks and Rewards
If a Heat Supplier fails to provide accurate consumption data at final customer level, they will be in breach, subject to criminal proceedings. In contrast, with accurate metering, improved usage information and greater individual control over heating comes potential to increase efficiency and reduce bills. Going forward, the registration and assessment process must be completed at least once every 4 years to ensure heat metering and billing keeps pace with any changes.
For more information and advice, please contact one of our Energy Managers today on 01279 810120.