Heat networks or communal heating can provide affordable, reliable and efficient low carbon heat. Unfortunately, too often communal heating isn't great and does not achieve these benefits.
Communal heating schemes are often difficult to manage, create lots of customer complaints, and are more expensive to operate. Customers often do not get the reliable, affordable or efficient heat they are promised and it doesn’t compare well with the individual heating systems that they may be used to.
We know Heat Network problems include - numerous customer complaints, high costs and customer debts, on-going maintenance and repair issues, poor scheme efficiency, unclear tariffs.
We work with our colleagues at Chirpy Heat on all heat network issues. Chirpy Heat has developed the solutions that have been tried and tested by housing providers across the UK.
Whether it's customer complaints, compliance, technical or financial issues, Chirpy Heat can help. We can look at individual schemes or an entire portfolio; we can review all aspects of schemes or start with the issues that are causing you the most problems.
Technical Assessment and Reviews
Typical Issues
Frequent repairs
Unreliable service
Customer Complaints
System efficiency
High running costs
Scheme Management
Typical Issues
Metering and billing issues
High maintenance costs
High levels of call outs
Poor or non-existence data on the system
Issues with maintenance, metering and billing providers
Remote Monitoring and Data
Typical Issues
No visibility on scheme efficiency
Only hearing about problems when customers contact you
Contractors needing to do extensive and costly assessment to identify problems
High levels of emergency call outs
Scheme Finances
Typical Issues
Scheme debt
Scheme not covering current running costs
No funding for investments of upgrades
Tariffs do not reflect the real costs of the system
Late or inaccurate bills
Customer Service
Typical Issues
Customer complaints on range of issues
Customer do not understand how to get the best from their heating.
Late or inaccurate bills
High call out rates
Compliance and regulation
Typical Issues
Lack of awareness of regulatory obligations
No management system in place for reporting to ensure compliance.
No forward planning for future legislation and regulation