Low‑carbon heating for high‑rise developments

High‑rise and high‑density developments face unique challenges when it comes to low‑carbon heating. Space constraints, grid capacity, planning considerations and long‑term operating costs all make solutions designed for individual homes harder to apply at scale.

At Power On, we help developers overcome these challenges through heat network solutions that are practical, cost‑effective and proven at scale – supporting compliance with the Future Homes Standard (FHS) today, while delivering long‑term value for residents and communities.

The challenge with individual technologies in high‑rise buildings

The Future Homes Standard rightly prioritises lower‑carbon heating, with a strong focus on technologies such as individual air source heat pumps and solar PV. However, for high‑rise developments, these approaches can introduce significant complexity.

Installing separate heat pumps or solar panels for every apartment can:

• Create space and planning constraints
• Impact building aesthetics
• Increase electrical demand and grid reinforcement costs
• Add installation, maintenance and replacement challenges over time

For many high‑rise schemes, a networked approach is simply more practical.

Heat networks: a pragmatic, future‑ready approach

Heat networks allow low‑carbon heat and hot water to be delivered efficiently across an entire development, using shared infrastructure rather than individual systems in every home.

They provide:

• A scalable route to FHS compliance
• Greater efficiency across high‑density sites
• Lower overall capital and operational costs
• Simplified operation for developers and residents

Power On has been delivering heat network solutions for complex, high‑rise and high‑density developments for many years. Today, more than 20,000 homes are contracted to our heat network solutions, with new schemes added continuously.

Two proven heat network solutions

Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps (NGSHPs)

NGSHPs extract naturally stored thermal energy from the ground and distribute it through a shared underground network to buildings across a site. Each building has its own internal heat pump, eliminating the need for external units.

Why NGSHPs work for high‑rise developments:

• Up to 50% reduction in electricity grid capacity requirements compared to individual air source heat pumps
• Fewer or smaller substations, reducing cost and programme risk
• Carbon emissions reduced by 75–80% from day one
• Passive cooling supports compliance with Part O of Building Regulations
• Up to five times the efficiency of gas, with stable year‑round performance

This approach often proves more capital‑efficient than individual systems and supports simpler, faster site delivery.

Community Heat Hubs (CHHs)

Community Heat Hubs centralise heat production for a development using large‑scale air source heat pumps and thermal stores. Heat is then distributed across the site via a network.

Benefits of Community Heat Hubs include:

• Cost savings of up to £1,000 per plot compared to individual air source heat pumps
• Up to 15% lower peak electrical demand
• No hot water tanks required within apartments, freeing up valuable internal space
• Carbon emissions reduced by 75–80% from day one

With no external heat pumps on balconies or façades, CHHs also help maintain architectural intent and external aesthetics.

Real benefits for residents

Heat networks don’t just simplify delivery for developers – they also create tangible benefits for the people living in these homes.

• Around 40% savings on whole‑home energy costs (in an FHS‑compliant home, combined with measures such as solar PV, compared to an average UK gas‑heated home)
• Stable, predictable energy performance throughout the year
• No external equipment or noisy units
• Simple control via easy‑to‑use smart thermostats

Regulated, managed and future-proofed

All heat networks are now regulated by Ofgem, providing residents with greater protection, transparent pricing and assurance over service standards.

Power On works alongside its sister company, Metropolitan, which owns and manages the heat networks we deliver. This means residents don’t have to worry about maintenance, breakdowns or equipment replacement – everything is covered within a single, managed service.

Metropolitan brings:

• Over 15 years’ experience managing heat networks
• More than 10,000 customers
• A UK‑based Customer Contact Centre in Cardiff

Supporting the transition to net zero – now

The Future Homes Standard sets a clear direction of travel for the industry. While timescales may continue to evolve, the technologies needed to deliver low‑carbon, compliant high‑rise developments are already available.

At Power On, we help developers move forward with confidence – delivering heat networks that reduce carbon, manage cost and simplify delivery, without waiting for future regulation to force change.

Talk to us about heat networks for your development

If you’re planning a high‑rise or high‑density scheme and want a practical route to FHS compliance, we’d be happy to help.