Heat Networks distribute hot water from a centralised source through a looped system of insulated pipes.  Users access their energy via individual heat exchangers, serving space heating and / or hot water needs. Heat can be provided by dedicated plant (such as boilers, heat pumps or CHP) or by processes having surplus heat. Networks can be arranged either in single buildings (block heating) or to serve a wider area (district heating). 

In addition, Heat Networks have the flexibility to incorporate other technologies which may appear in future and which would help to decarbonise. It is easy to build in hot water storage, smaller sizing is made possible by coincidence factors and CHP operation generates income, as well as heat.