The principal idea of a ‘green heat network‘ is the belief that energy can be more efficiently used if everyone receives their heat (or hot water) from a centralised source. This isn’t practical everywhere but is often feasible in urban areas or in communities already close to a convenient heat source such as an incinerator. Heat networks have been around since at least the early 1970s (for example in high rise flats in Upton Park) but met with varying degrees of success. The government believes we have now learned from our mistakes and should rely on them to reduce our energy use and fuel bills. In September 2021 they renewed their commitment to large scale investment in low-carbon heat networks, geo-thermal heat sources and other green initiatives.
Although the principal motivation is to reduce the country’s carbon footprint, many householders will benefit from this scheme and from a range of other green energy government grants. The rules for getting a green energy grant are complicated. Some depend on your location, current heating problems, property status or personal income. Some can be applied for via government websites while others are administered by local councils and energy companies. While some councils encourage you to take out a loan to make energy improvements (for example Bristol) others are more generous. For example, Liverpool City Council grants can fully fund ‘first time’ installation of central heating or replace an old or broken boiler for you. Liverpool City Council grants are also available for cavity wall and internal wall insulation under the ECO3 scheme.
However, the government has declared that future funding, starting with the new Green Heat Network Fund, will focus exclusively on low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps (as opposed to gas boilers) which don’t work well in all homes. Although the threat to ban gas boilers entirely has been “postponed” it is probably wise for people hoping for green energy government grants to install or repair a traditional gas-powered central heating system to apply sooner rather than later. Solar panel grants have also disappeared in most areas.
According to government figures provided by the Committee on Climate Change, heat networks already provide 2% of the UK’s total heating demand but that could rise to 18% by 2050. One Green Heat Network Fund initiative intends to recoup heat from the London Underground system to heat nearby buildings. It isn’t clear whether those buildings will be in fuel poverty or whether the Underground will become colder.
A similar scheme in Liverpool is possible, but smaller initiatives will probably deliver more certain benefits. Developers are encouraged to explore whether they can access green energy government grants under the new Green Heat Network initiative.
Most of us will prefer to focus on direct improvements to our own homes. In principle, most homeowners can access over £6,000 in grants toward improving house energy efficiency assuming there is a demonstrable need for the work and assistance. Even solid walls can be thermally improved, so we encourage everyone to explore their eligibility for the full range of green energy government grants.
