As we hurtle towards the UK’s 2050 net zero deadline, demand for competent engineers with the knowledge and experience to design, install, optimise and maintain low-carbon technologies is far outstripping supply. It’s a serious problem, and nowhere is this more true than in the heating and ventilation sector. With the built environment responsible for a quarter of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonising the technology used to heat and cool buildings is an important and urgent priority that affects almost all organisations.
Heat networks – systems that supply numerous properties from a single, shared heat source – are a core component of the government’s strategy to achieve these targets, thanks to their potential to provide highly efficient, low carbon heating, hot water and cooling at scale. In order to speed up their construction in urban centres, zones are being designated across England within which new housing developments and certain other types of buildings may be required to connect to one. In much of Greater London, for example, planning permission for large buildings like offices, hospitals, hotels, and supermarkets is now contingent on the inclusion of shared heating infrastructure.
As a direct consequence of these policies, the heat network growth curve is climbing sharply. The technology is now projected to meet more than 20% of our total heat demand by 2050, up from just 3% in currently. Consequently, many businesses are now coming into contact with heat networks for the first time. Meanwhile, demand for skilled and experienced engineers to build and maintain them is outstripping the market’s supply capacity.
Not enough hands to the pump
Sourcing engineering expertise is not easy in any sector, but when it comes to heat networks it’s particularly hard because of the very specific skill-set required, which differs greatly from that of the rest of the heating industry. Unlike household boilers, heat networks are huge, sophisticated, interconnected systems comprising numerous interactive elements. If engineers don’t have in-depth knowledge of the specific technologies involved, they can very easily make costly mistakes, potentially affecting hundreds of users. Sadly, this is something we encounter frequently in the course of our work, when we’re called in to try and undo the damage.
Furthermore, because they are so complex, heat networks require continuous monitoring using digital analytics, as well as regular and thorough maintenance across every part of the system. That includes both communal elements and those located within individual properties, which adds an additional layer of administrative complexity, too.
Without this kind of proactive management, however, a heat network’s performance inevitably declines over time. In fact, it’s estimated that most in the UK are currently operating at just 35-45% efficiency. While that may be partly due to poor design, incorrect or inadequate maintenance is undoubtedly a significant factor. The result? Painfully high energy bills, excessive emissions and cold buildings. In the worst cases, it can even be dangerous.
More stringent regulations
In response to these issues, the government is developing the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), which aims to ensure appropriate standards of efficiency and reliability. Penalties may be imposed on organisations operating heat networks that fall below specified standards. While this is necessary and welcome, it will do nothing to ease the demand for engineering expertise – quite the opposite in fact.
The good news is that, with so many heat networks underperforming so badly, there is tremendous scope for improvement in many cases. An efficiency increase of even 10% can result in energy savings amounting to thousands of pounds per annum, not to mention reduced carbon emissions, longer equipment life cycles and lower repair costs.
So, how do you go about separating the wheat from the chaff when it comes to sourcing heat network engineering and maintenance teams that you can trust to optimise and protect your equipment?
Ask the right questions
When speaking to prospective maintenance providers, find out what training and qualifications they have. Knowledge of CIBSE’s Heat Networks Code of Practice (CP1) would be a strong indicator of expertise and commitment to quality. They should also be abreast of HNTAS and have a good working knowledge of the Heat Trust’s consumer protection standards.
Ask them, too, to explain your system comprehensively and detail their plans for maximising efficiency and minimising heat loss. Get them to be very specific about how equipment will be maintained, e.g., stripping down and checking bearings instead of just looking for leaks. Precise terminology ensures everyone knows exactly what the contract covers. Where possible, it’s advisable to find a company that offers an end-to-end service covering metering & billing systems too. And don’t look for the cheapest deal. Seek out companies that have priced for the time and expertise needed to fully audit the existing set-up, monitor performance and resolve issues. A provider that only performs basic maintenance will not offer best value in the long run.
Another way to tell if a heat network supplier knows their onions, is if they offer innovative data tools to identify and precisely locate faults and inefficiencies. If they do, they’re more likely to have the kind of integrated understanding and in-depth expertise you need to improve your heat network’s performance.