White Paper tackles common district heating material misconceptions

Latest News Mon, Jan 9, 2023 6:59 AM

With the UK’s uptake of district heating technology continuing to grow, a leading pipework supplier has been engaging with contractors and specifiers and found questions still remain on material choice.

According to the Association for Decentralised Energy, there are 17,000 heat networks in the UK supplying half a million customers – a huge increase on 2013, when there were only 2,000 networks and 211,000 users.

With the technology becoming increasingly popular, building services solutions provider REHAU has published a new whitepaper exploring key considerations around heat networks, titled Trends in District Heating Pipework.

The company’s conversations with contractors, ESCOs and specifiers has identified misconceptions around the use of polymer systems, which have become more prominent in recent years. With questions often arising around topics from specialist welding, thermal expansion, mechanical fittings and the material’s suitability to larger networks, through to heat loss, flow temperatures and leak detection capabilities, clarification was key, says Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions UK.

“Polymer may be growing in popularity but there are still some misconceptions around its use in district heating schemes,” he explains. “For example, while welding is often associated with heat networks, they are not required on PE-Xa based systems, which instead use compression sleeves.

“Similarly, it is still commonly believed that single pipes experience lower heat losses than twin pipes, and that polymer is only suitable for projects at 70°C flow temperature and lower, but these are misconceptions too. This is in part why we have published this latest whitepaper – as district heating becomes increasingly popular, specifiers and contractors must be able to make informed choices over topics such as material choice.”

The drive towards sustainable heating, spurred on by net zero targets, has in turn increased demand for lower-temperature fourth and fifth-generation district heating systems. With newer heat sources such as heat pumps and waste heat requiring lower flow temperatures and housing developers are looking how to move away from gas boilers from 2025, polymer pipes with their long coils and high flexibility are ideal for these developments, says Steve.

“District heating is becoming increasingly common across the built environment, and recent government funding announcements demonstrate how this technology will be key to the UK’s low-carbon economy,” explains Steve. “Yet to ensure successful wide-scale adoption, good design, installation and commissioning knowledge is also required, including over material use.

“Consequently, we would advise contractors, ESCOs and specifiers work closely with partners to ensure these schemes are as efficient as possible using the latest guidance such as CIBSE CP1.2. Our whitepaper is a key example of this approach in action, as guidance, collaboration and access to informative resources will help industry realise the full potential of district heating.”

For more information and to read REHAU’s guide, Trends in District Heating Pipework, please click here.

Featured News

Specification news
A1S GROUP JOINS NBS SOURCE TO EXPAND REACH WITH...

A1S Group, a leading manufacturer, installer and global exporter of fire and smoke...

Read More >>

Specification news
Solving sustainable drainage systems requirements...

Extreme weather events and an ever-increasing amount of hard surfaces mean flooding...

Read More >>

BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES

Mermet | Kibo Darkening | 2024–2027 | EN Brochure

Mermet | Kibo Darken...
By Mermet UK

Download Now >>

Mermet | Karellis Darkening | 2024–2027 | EN Brochure

Mermet | Karellis Da...
By Mermet UK

Download Now >>

Mermet | Flocké Darkening | 2024–2027 | EN Brochure

Mermet | Flocké Dark...
By Mermet UK

Download Now >>

Mermet | Shadow 24 Basics | 2024–2027 | EN Brochure

Mermet | Shadow 24 B...
By Mermet UK

Download Now >>

Mermet | Natté PES Basics | 2024–2027 | EN Brochure

Mermet | Natté PES B...
By Mermet UK

Download Now >>

BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS

Straightcurve®
Straightcurve®

Straightcurve® – headquartered in Australia, is renowned for high-end innovative garden edging,...

Read More >>

RLG600 Access Flooring System
RLG600 Access Flooring System

The Kingspan RLG600 raised access floor panel is intended for light office use and is capable of...

Read More >>

RHG600 Simploc
RHG600 Simploc

Kingspan RHG600 Simploc is the heavy grade floor system, capable of handling up to a 12kN/m2...

Read More >>

CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS

Specification Insights with Majestic London Showers
Specification Insights with Majestic London Showers

Specification Insights with Majestic London Showers

Watch Now >>

Discover the first-ever reference book for stone wool insulated sandwich panels
Discover the first-ever reference book for stone wool insulated sandwich panels

“Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels” written by Professor Imperadori, is now...

Watch Now >>

Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London
Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London

Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London

Watch Now >>