How would you deploy £3.3 billion of innovative finance to keep buildings warm?
Shape how the Warm Homes Fund uses the £3.3 billion available as innovative finance for investments in and loans to the building upgrade and retrofit sector, including £600m to support low-income households.
This call for evidence is a key opportunity for the heat network sector to shape how government targets finance to support market growth. Where could this investment make the biggest difference? Is it reducing the upfront cost of connections, helping networks meet technical standards, unlocking more affordable capital or something else entirely?
Further information on the plans for this investment will be published later this year.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards: key changes for heat networks
The new Future Homes and Buildings Standards present an update to building regulations to ensure new buildings are future-proofed with low carbon heating, such as heat pumps and heat networks, have high levels of energy efficiency, and for most buildings, solar panels.
The standards will come into force in March 2027, with a further 12-month transition period for industry. Taller, higher-risk buildings will benefit from a longer transition to reflect the additional complexity these buildings pose.
The new standards introduce clearer and more flexible ways for heat networks to show they meet carbon requirements, including the ability to count planned low carbon capacity. Temporary fossil fuel heating prior to connection will no longer be allowed, and high performing networks will have a simpler compliance route. Government also intends for heat networks meeting zoning emissions limits to automatically pass key building regulation checks within zones.
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Understanding the zoning carbon emissions limit calculator webinar
In the heat network zoning government response, we committed to a carbon emissions limit on heat networks that will be developed through heat network zoning in England. The policy is due to go live later this year.
Join our webinar on Monday 13 April, 10am, where we will explain how heat networks can calculate the emissions of their project against the new limit. We will also welcome feedback on the calculator and the methodology.
Register for the zoning carbon emissions limit calculator webinar.
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Have your say on the proposed Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme and join our next Stakeholder Forum
Only three weeks remain to respond to the Heat Network Technical Standards Consultation, which closes on 15 April. We want to hear from you so please submit your views.
We are also inviting feedback on the draft HNTAS Code documents, the Heat Network Technical Standard (TS1) and the Metering and Monitoring Standard through a separate HNTAS Technical Feedback Process , which closes on the 25 May.
The next HNTAS Stakeholder Forum will be held on Thursday 9 April 13.30-15.00, and will address common misconceptions about HNTAS proposals, such as how mid-stage and second-party assessment are expected to work. Register for the HNTAS Stakeholder Forum
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Heat Network Zoning Pipeline
DESNZ is inviting strategic and local authorities in England to help identify the next zones to be brought forward for implementation and inform the pipeline of potential heat network zones. Details will be published on the Heat Networks Delivery Unit webpage shortly and responses will need to be received by 29 May 2026. Information received after that date will be used as part of the continuous process of pipeline review. For further information please contact HNDU@energysecurity.gov.uk. The pipeline review will consider, for each zone opportunity area, evidence on strategic alignment with zoning objectives and confidence in deliverability (including readiness, viability, feasibility).
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How should DNOs help roll out low-carbon technology?
Ofgem are developing the next price control framework (RIIO-ED3) for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), the organisations that build and maintain the electricity distribution network. To support this, Ofgem are consulting on enhancing the coordination role of DNOs to support the rollout of low carbon technologies and energy efficiency measures. This could support the deployment of low-carbon heat networks, particularly where they can offer system benefits for the electricity network.
Share your views on expanding the role of DNOs in deploying Low Carbon Technology. The consultation is live until 2 April.
The RIIO-ED3 price control will be active from 2028 to 2033.
Update to HIU test standard released
BESA has updated its independent evaluation regime for Heat Interface Units (HIUs), introducing increased performance criteria, improved temperature stability requirements, and clearer best-practice thresholds.
The updates are designed to drive better product performance, improve system outcomes, strengthen confidence across the supply chain, and align with proposed HNTAS requirements. The changes were developed collaboratively with manufacturers, consultants and industry bodies to ensure they reflect real-world performance.
Find out more about the updated HUI test standard.
Get ready: Ofgem's heat network digital registration service is coming
Ofgem are gearing up for the next milestone in their role as heat network regulator and preparing for the launch of the heat networks registration digital service, in private beta. As of today, users can request to join the private beta testing phase and start the process of registration.
Those who opt-in will benefit from completing the regulatory registration requirements ahead of the service being launched publicly, while also being able to shape the service itself.
Find out more and register for the private beta.
New Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Website Now Live
All future HNES updates and application support are now hosted on the new HNES website, which includes scheme guidance, eligibility information, case studies and upcoming webinars. Please update your bookmarks and saved links.
All official HNES guidance documents, including applicant guidance, scheme rules and funding information, will continue to be hosted on the GOV.UK HNES page.
From 7th April, Delivery Partner contacts will switch from @gemserv.com to @talan.com email addresses. Updated contact details will be available on the new website.
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