Tell the government to bring in legislation to make Heat Networks fair

In 2018, a CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) investigation found that many people in homes on a heat network are facing higher prices and have less protection over the service they receive.

The government promised to bring in new regulation to oversee heat networks and ensure heat network customers get the same rights and protections other energy customers receive - but there's no sign of it yet.

This legislation is needed urgently, especially with today's energy price crisis.

Heat networks are a way of heating a block of flats or even a neighbourhood using a single central boiler, with pipes leading into each home to supply heating and hot water. There are 14,000 such networks in the UK, providing heating to about 450,000 people.

However, currently there's no regulator overseeing heat networks, so customers don't have the rights and protections standard gas and electricity customers receive. Also, you can't compare and switch supplier if you're unhappy with the service or price. And with providers usually contracted to supply a site for 25 years or more, there's little incentive to offer a deal that's right for customers.

As the cost of living crisis deepens, it's vital the government acts quickly and keeps to its promise to regulate heat networks and give customers the rights and protections they need!