Heat Network Optimisation Study boosts efficiency and cuts costs for high-rise housing
Heat Network Optimisation Study boosts efficiency and cuts costs for high-rise housing
- Heat network optimisation studies, Metering surveys
Overview
Unlocking performance improvements in a communal heat network in South West London
Services provided:
Heat network optimisation study
Metering surveys and data gap analysis
Practical improvement plan with short payback measures
Concept was appointed to undertake a Heat Network Optimisation Study for a 20-storey residential tower block in South West London, located close to a major transport hub.
The building comprises 93 residential apartments, all supplied by a communal heating and domestic hot water network.
With rising energy costs and increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, the client needed a clearer understanding of how the network was performing, with a key goal to reduce costs for both the operator and residents.
A key challenge at the outset was the limited availability of reliable energy and consumption data, which constrained visibility of system performance and informed decision-making.
Objectives
- Improve overall heat network efficiency
- Reduce operational costs and tenant energy bills
- Identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions
- Improve metering, data capture and performance visibility
- Develop practical, phased recommendations that could be implemented with minimal disruption
Project scope
The project began with a detailed site survey to establish existing metering arrangements and identify gaps in available data. During this process, Concept uncovered four bulk heat meters in the plant room that were previously unknown to the client, meaning valuable performance data was not being captured or used.
What We Did:
- Conducted multiple site visits to inspect plant rooms, distribution pipework and insulation
- Identified and assessed existing bulk heat meters and opportunities for improved data capture
- Inspected a representative sample of apartments to assess final heat delivery
- Reviewed plant efficiency, distribution losses and unused or poorly performing circuits
- Modelled energy consumption and improvement scenarios using RETScreen
- Evaluated a range of efficiency measures including insulation upgrades, isolating unused circuits and implementing variable speed pumping
Overcoming logistical challenges
Gaining access to tenant apartments was essential to understand real-world system performance. Concept worked flexibly, arranging visits at short notice, to align with tenant availability and minimise disruption.
The continuous demand for heating and hot water also influenced implementation planning, as the system has no clear downtime. This reinforced the need for carefully phased, low-disruption improvement measures.
Outcomes & deliverables
Our study identified a clear set of practical, cost-effective actions to improve network performance and reduce operating costs.
- Discovery of previously unknown bulk heat meters, unlocking new performance insights
- Clear recommendations to improve metering, data capture and access
- Identified efficiency improvements with strong cost and carbon benefits
- A prioritised improvement plan focused on low-cost, fast-payback measures
- A phased delivery strategy, aligning more disruptive works with planned apartment maintenance
We presented the findings to our client, supporting discussion around prioritisation and next steps.
Looking to improve the performance of your heat network?
If you want greater visibility of system performance, lower operating costs and a clear, practical route to improved efficiency, get in touch with Concept to discuss how we can support your project.
