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The Final Countdown: Taking heat network compliance from conversation to action

|Published on: Oct 14, 2026||

Real people. Real industry conversations. And five key questions every property manager should be asking.

We took The Final Countdown on the road to The Property Institute’s Annual Conference in London on 8th October.

Our own Jessica Warwick and Katherine Baker were joined by Dave Newton OBE from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to chat all things heat network compliance, upcoming regulations and what they mean in practice for those managing heat networks.

The session brought property managers and industry experts together to explore what’s changing, where the challenges lie and how to prepare.

Five questions. How many can you answer?

With Ofgem’s 26 January 2027 deadline soon approaching, there’s plenty for the industry to get to grips with.

And we’re here to try and break it down.

Compliance isn’t simply about knowing the rules. It’s about understanding responsibilities, identifying gaps and making sure the right processes are working in practice.

That’s why our session started with five key questions:

• Who is the heat supplier?
• Who is the heat network operator?
• Who is accountable for each consumer outcome?
• What are we doing to protect residents?
• Where is the evidence?
They’re straightforward questions. But can you answer all five confidently for every heat network you manage?

Who owns what? Who’s accountable? Are residents protected? And where’s the evidence?

Simple questions. Not always simple answers.

A brilliant opportunity to bring the industry together, share practical insight and keep the conversation moving.

With over 100 people in the room, the session sparked plenty of discussion, highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and turning complex regulations into practical next steps.

It was encouraging to see so many engaging with the topic and taking a proactive approach to what’s ahead.

Turning questions into coversations

As Sian Hoddle, Director of Energy Services, reflected after the event:

“Kat and Jess did us proud!

They made a complicated subject easy to follow, and the number of questions afterwards showed how much people wanted to understand what this means for them.

It was great to see so many property managers getting involved, and I hope they came away with a clearer idea of where to start.”

The Data Energy stand build team on the Heat Network Heroes stand at the TPI Annual Seminar 2026.

From the conference room to your heat networks

The conference gave us the chance to bring these issues into focus. But the conversation doesn’t end there.

Our Final Countdown Pocket Guide takes the discussion further, breaking down the key requirements into practical guidance to help property managers understand what matters, where the risks may sit and what to prioritise.

Because being ready isn’t just about having a plan. It’s about knowing who’s responsible, putting the right processes in place and being able to demonstrate that they’re working.

Missed the session? The countdown continues.

Whether you joined us at the conference or couldn’t make it, there’s still time to ask the right questions, understand your responsibilities and identify the practical steps needed to prepare for the upcoming regulations.

Explore The Final Countdown Pocket Guide.

Get the Guide