Heat networks in the borough

This information is only for people living in properties managed by the Council

If you rent from another landlord and you’re on a heat network, contact your landlord or energy supplier to find out how the new laws may affect you.

Heat meters in homes

Some homes on our heat networks have individual heat meters. Others do not because of the age or design of the heat network.

A heat meter measures the amount of heating and hot water used in your home. If your home has a heat meter, you are charged based on the amount you use.

If your home does not have a heat meter, we cannot measure how much heating and/or hot water your home uses. Instead, charges are based on the cost of providing heat to the building/estate and then shared between homes.

Homes with individual heat meters 

Where we have meters installed:

• you will be charged based on your individual energy usage
• the format of your bills will be easier to understand
• you may move to a different billing cycle

Homes without individual heat meters

If your home does not have an individual heat meter, your heating and hot water charges are based on the cost of supplying heat to your building.

Each year, we:

1. estimate the cost for the year ahead
2. compare this with the actual cost at the end of the year
3. adjust future charges if we charged too much or too little

Any adjustment will be shown in your annual rent increase letter. To help reduce the financial impact, larger adjustments are spread over up to 3 years.

Your share of the costs is calculated using the same method as other service charges and is based on the size of your home.

 

Heat networks information for Lancaster West residents