Community heating
The London Plan, Published by the Mayor of London in March 2016, defines community heating as: ‘The distribution of steam or hot water through a network of pipes to heat a large area of commercial, industrial or domestic buildings or for industrial processes. The steam or hot water is supplied from a central source such as a heat-only boiler or a combined heat and power plant.'
Combined heat and power quality assurance (CHPQA) guidance notes, published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy in 2014, defines Community Heating (CH) as: ‘…the centralised provision of heat to a number of residential, institutional, commercial, industrial or other sector buildings, premises, sites and users typically for the purpose of providing hot water, space heating or cooling and can include the provision of process steam. CH Schemes may also provide heat users with associated electricity. Community Heating includes both of what are frequently referred to as district heating and communal heating.’
It defines Residential Community Heating (RCH) as: '...the centralised supply of heat, predominantly for Residential Users for space heating and domestic hot water. Residential Use is defined by the Finance Act 2000 and the term Residential User is defined in the CHPQA Guidance Notes.'
Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, Volume 1: Dwellings, 2021 edition incorporating 2023 amendments, defines a community heating system as: ‘A system that supplies heat from a central source to more than one dwelling or premises within a single building.’
See also: Communal heating.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.