The rules, and where each one stands

Part 8, Chapter 2 of the Energy Act 2023 gives the government power to create heat network zones in England and to require some buildings in them to connect. It came into force when the Act was passed, but it only enables regulations. Until those are made, nothing in it bites on any building. The same Act also set up Ofgem’s regulation of heat networks, under a separate chapter.

The regulations will set out how zones are identified and designated, which buildings must connect, the notice and exemption process, and penalties. Government published its final policy in January 2026 and expected to lay the regulations in spring 2026. The January 2026 government response expected the regulations to be laid in spring 2026, subject to parliamentary time. At our last check nothing had been laid: no draft or made zoning regulations appear on legislation.gov.uk or Parliament's statutory instruments tracker, and in October 2026 the energy minister still described them as yet to go live.

Since 27 January 2026 Ofgem has regulated heat networks across Great Britain in the way it regulates gas and electricity suppliers. Network operators and suppliers must meet authorisation conditions on pricing, billing, vulnerable customers and complaints. Existing networks are treated as authorised but have until January 2027 to register.

The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme will set minimum technical standards for how networks are designed, built and run, checked at stages through a network’s life. The scheme will be run by a Code Manager, initially the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, not by Ofgem. The consultation on technical standards closed on 15 April 2026 and no government response had been published at our last check.

The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 still apply, but were simplified from 27 January 2026. Amendments removed several requirements in the 2014 metering and billing regulations, including some notification duties and requirements to fit heat cost allocators and thermostatic radiator valves. Billing standards for customers now sit mainly in Ofgem’s authorisation conditions.

Heat network customers have had a statutory advocate and access to an ombudsman since April 2025: Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Consumer Scotland in Scotland, and the Energy Ombudsman for disputes. The Energy Ombudsman accepts heat network disputes, usually after 8 weeks with the supplier.

Guaranteed standards would set service levels, such as restoring supply after an outage, with automatic compensation when they are missed. Ofgem planned a policy consultation on guaranteed standards for heat networks in 2026. We have not found a published consultation or decision, so we give no date.