Air Source Heat Networks

A Community Heat Hub is a heat network powered by centralised air source heat pumps (ASHPs), designed, constructed and adopted by GTC, to serve residential developments.

The Community Heat Hub, containing large ASHPs and thermal storage, generates low-carbon heat, which is distributed to every connected premises through a network of highly insulted plastic polymer pipes. Each home receives heat and hot water via a Heat Interface Unit (HIU), there is no boiler, heat pump, or hot water cylinder present in the dwelling.

With individual ASHPs, each home requires its own outdoor unit and hot water cylinder, consuming its own electricity and the homeowner is responsible for service and maintenance.

A Community Heat Hub centralises the generation of heat within the energy centre and large-scale storage tanks, avoiding the individual ASHP and cylinder in the home, providing instant heating and hot water via the Heat Interface Unit (HIU).

GTC owns, operates, services and maintains the heat network, including the HIU.

Community Heat Hubs offer several benefits and advantages for developers.

The centralised design reduces site-wide peak electrical demand vs. ASHPs, potentially avoiding or reducing electric grid reinforcement costs.

The absence of external units on plots enhances the street scene and the managed heat service gives peace of mind with regards to future servicing and maintenance.

The solution is scalable, futureproof and compliant with the Future Homes Standard.

The Community Heat Hub’s thermal stores are key to managing energy costs. They are charged with hot water typically overnight when wholesale electricity prices are at their lowest, then the heat pumps can be switched off during peak-price periods and the stored hot water / heat energy is used instead.

Ofgem regulation introduces key consumer protections around these areas; Standards of Conduct, quality of service, billing and transparency, back-billing, heat supply contracts, protections for vulnerable consumers & security of supply.

Any operator or supplier must be authorised by Ofgem, and while any activity carried out before 26 January 2027 is automatically deemed authorised, Ofgem will still apply its general authorisation conditions from 26 January 2026, making compliance mandatory. Any regulated activity starting after 26 January 2027 will need to undergo a formal authorisation process.

Residents receive reliable, low-carbon heat and instantaneous hot water with no in-house equipment to service or maintain. Residents pay a heat tariff and service charge, all covered by Ofgem regulation.

GTC’s sister company, Metropolitan, takes responsibility for all ongoing operations and maintenance of the entire network (community heat hub, heat pipe network and HIUs) along with all the customer service needs of the residents.

Residents benefit from professionally managed, bulk purchased electricity powering their Community Heat Hub. This can be further optimised by the thermal stores, buying electricity when it’s cheapest with off peak tariffs. The service charges cover access to the heating system and service and maintenance of the HIU.

By contrast, individual ASHPs require residents to bear the full cost of electricity at domestic rates. Residents are also responsible for the annual servicing and face potential repair or replacement costs.

Community Heat Hubs demonstrate a strong commitment to low carbon, sustainable development, which aligns increasingly with local planning policy requirements around sustainability and carbon reduction.

A centralised, well managed approach to heating can support planning narratives around energy strategy, residents well being and long-term estate management. GTC can support developers with information to support planning submissions.

GTC is the UK’s leading multi utility provider with over 30 years’ experience in designing, constructing and operating utility networks. We are already delivering heat to residents from Community Heat Hubs on multiple sites, with more coming online soon.  Our sister company, Metropolitan, has over 15 years’ experience in supplying heat to more than 10,000 customers.