27 Jan 2026
CIH welcomes the full commencement of heat network consumer protection regulation
Today (27 January) marks the full commencement of new consumer protection regulation in the heat network sector by the energy regulator Ofgem.
Heat networks have been supplying heating and hot water to domestic homes for several decades, but have not previously been regulated in the same way that energy retail suppliers are.
The new regulations apply to both large district heating networks serving multiple buildings, and smaller communal networks that tend to serve only one building.
According to a recent estimate by Ofgem, 60 per cent of all existing heat networks are in the social housing sector. Social landlords will therefore need to take action to ensure they are working towards full compliance if they haven’t already.
Responding to the news, Matthew Scott, policy manager at CIH, said:
“Clean, affordable, and efficient heat networks have a vital role to play in the warm, healthy homes of the future. However, the lack of regulation to date has left people at risk of unfair pricing and repeated bill increases, and there have been limited avenues for redress when things have gone wrong. This makes the full commencement of Ofgem’s role as the regulator of heat networks a significant and welcome milestone.
“With over half of existing heat networks falling in the social housing sector, it is vital that housing providers engage with the regulation, to understand if they are in scope and what they need to do to be compliant.
“CIH has worked closely with Ofgem on the development of the regulation, along with our members and partners across the social housing sector. We will continue to work in partnership in the coming months to ensure the regulation delivers good outcomes for residents and is implemented effectively.”
To support our members with the regulation, CIH has published a member-exclusive ‘what do I need to do’ checklist on our Knowledge Hub and further information summarising the requirements of the regulation and signposting to additional advice and information.
Further information
