Full Ofgem regulations are being rolled out for of all heat networks across the UK. This means big changes for housing providers operating heat networks. Here at Chirpy Heat we are here to help you kickstart your compliance journey.

Unless you have been well insulated from it over the last couple of years, you’ll have heard Ofgem is becoming the regulator for heat networks in the UK. This means heat networks will be regulated in line with gas and electricity suppliers and, from January 2026, existing and new heat networks will start to become subject to a wide range of requirements including around consumer protection and performance standards.

Specifically there will need to start reporting on network, portfolio, financial, management and performance data.

Chirpy Heat is offering a four-step Regulation Rollout as a way to quickly get up to speed and get your compliance on track. We’ll support you from the first steps of establishing where you sit against new requirements all the way through to helping get you right up to speed with the compliance changes. We’ll then stay on hand with expert input while you navigate this evolving, complex landscape. Let’s have a closer look at the details of Regulation Rollout’s four key steps:

 

1 Regulation Readiness Review

Many housing providers are not compliant with regulations and are struggling to understand what these regulations mean for them.

The Regulation Readiness Review answers the question of where you are on the journey to regulatory compliance. It delivers a full assessment of your current and future regulatory position which will be outlined in a report alongside a focused action plan.

The service ensures you have full visibility and understanding of your governance and compliance risk and the actions you are taking to manage this.

2 Compliance Plan

Now that heat network compliance is due, Chirpy Heat will take the review of your regulation readiness and transform it into a strategic compliance plan for managing the required changes.

This means you receive a detailed compliance action plan, including key stages of preparation, transition and ongoing compliance. It will set out regulatory milestones and target dates as well as roles and responsibilities, interdependencies and considerations for your organisation.

3 Heat Network Training

Your comprehensive compliance plan is in place, now it’s time to elevate your team’s knowledge and understanding of heat networks, Chirpy Heat offers two government-funded courses – one on the practical elements of running heat networks and a second on the strategic approaches to future proofing heat networks. The latter, importantly, also covers achieving and maintaining compliance.

Both courses are suitable for building capacity at all levels of your organisation, be it operational teams, board level or contractors. They are perfect for supporting the development and implementation of your compliance plan, and each are fully government funded meaning they come at no cost to you.

4 Expert Partner in the Room

The picture of the new regulations is complex and evolving so Chirpy Heat’s expert consultants will stay on hand, including attending internal meetings, to provide updates on timeframes and requirements. They will also be available to input on heat network management, workflows, risks and funding, and can provide written regulation briefings and bespoke training/ updates.

Your expert partner will continue to boost your organisations’ heat network knowledge, understanding and capacity. We can be in the room for key meetings with stakeholders, board meetings, discussions with contractors, or generally there to support you in managing heat networks and delivering key messaging.

If you know Chirpy Heat already, you’ll know we live and breathe heat networks and love helping get them the best they can be. We’re excited to support new and existing clients thrive as they move forward with meeting new regulations.

Get in touch at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your journey.