Introduction

This guide concerns the technical aspects of district heating (DH) networks. It aims to provide a source of information for all those involved in developing new schemes or undertaking major refurbishment of existing schemes.

This publication is in large part an update of Good Practice Guide 234, Guide to community heating and CHP^[1], focusing on the technical elements. Its scope is extended to emphasise the importance of low-carbon sources of heat other than combined heat and power (CHP), including residual heat such as from waste treatment and industrial processes, and thermal renewable energy.

Comprehensive technical information is presented, with the guide divided into sections outlining system and component design, and operation and maintenance:

• ‘System design' describes the DH network as a whole; it is concerned with devising a system that is optimised but also has future expansion in mind.
• ‘Component design' concentrates on the items of plant that may be selected, and also includes aspects of the heat mains and the interface between mains and customers.
• ‘Operation and maintenance' outlines the principal operational and maintenance issues and procedures. It deals with detection of moisture within insulation, and covers in some detail the procedures that ensure proper water treatment.

Sources of further information are listed at the end of the guide.