The document discusses heat networks, which provide heat from a central boiler plant or energy center to multiple buildings through piping. Heat networks can provide environmental benefits like reduced carbon emissions compared to individual boilers. They also offer economic benefits such as lower maintenance costs and longer equipment lifespan. Additionally, heat networks connected to social housing can help reduce energy bills and fuel poverty for residents.

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The benefits of heat networks
Find out how heat networks can save money,
cut pollution and ease fuel poverty.

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What is a heat network?
Buildings heated by a heat network (community heating scheme or
district heating system) take hot water piped from one central boiler
plant or energy centre to heat their radiators and provide hot water.

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What is a heat network?
Buildings heated by a heat network (community heating scheme or
district heating system) take hot water piped from one central boiler
plant or energy centre to heat their radiators and provide hot water.

4. www.switch2.co.uk
What is a heat network?
Buildings heated by a heat network (community heating scheme or
district heating system) take hot water piped from one central boiler
plant or energy centre to heat their radiators and provide hot water.

5. www.switch2.co.uk
Why use a heat network?

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Why use a heat network?
Its benefits are:

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Why use a heat network?
Its benefits are:

8. www.switch2.co.uk
Why use a heat network?
Its benefits are:

9. www.switch2.co.uk
Why use a heat network?
Its benefits are:

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Environmental benefits of heat networks
Economies of scale mean that one central boiler plant is more
efficient than individual boilers.
An example of this is Leicester’s City Centre District Heating
Scheme, which spans six estates in the city and will have saved
more than 20,000 tonnes of carbon by 2020.

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Environmental benefits of heat networks
Fuels rush in
Heat networks can use fuels in ways that just wouldn’t work in
individual houses or flats.
Combinations of energy sources can be used, including
traditional gas fired boilers, biomass, CHP and low grade heat
technologies such as ground source heat pumps.
Heat that would otherwise be wasted during industrial
processes can be used when the plant is connected to a
district heat network.

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Typical carbon dioxide emissions [g/kwh]
of different heating systems:

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Typical carbon dioxide emissions [g/kwh]
of different heating systems:

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Typical carbon dioxide emissions [g/kwh]
of different heating systems:

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Economic benefits of heat networks

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Economic benefits of heat networks
Heat networks can cut the cost to the housing
management and to the customer.

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Economic benefits of heat networks
Heat networks can cut the cost to the housing
management and to the customer.
• Reduced maintenance
• No gas boiler avoids safety inspection costs
• Longer equipment life
• 25 years – Versus 15 for gas boilers
• CHP

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Economic benefits of heat networks
Heat networks can cut the cost to the housing
management and to the customer.
• Reduced maintenance
• No gas boiler avoids safety inspection costs
• Longer equipment life
• 25 years – Versus 15 for gas boilers
• CHP
Supplying electricity can cut building management
costs or provide income and lower electricity bills to
customers.

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Social benefits of heat networks

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Social benefits of heat networks
Systems that serve social housing – typically owned by a
local authority or housing association – are among the
most viable. It can reduce energy bills for residents on
benefits or within fuel poverty. Affordable warmth reduces
cold and condensation related illnesses.

21. www.switch2.co.uk
Social benefits of heat networks
Systems that serve social housing – typically owned by a
local authority or housing association – are among the
most viable. It can reduce energy bills for residents on
benefits or within fuel poverty. Affordable warmth reduces
cold and condensation related illnesses.

22. www.switch2.co.uk