What is it?

District heating is the use of a centralised boiler system to provide heat across numerous buildings (industrial, commercial and domestic) through a network of pre-insulated pipes.

This type of system has many benefits including (but not limited to):

• Reduction in installation costs through utilising a single heat generation source (i.e. biomass boiler, CHP unit, Ground Source Heat Pump (etc).

• Reduced service and maintenance costs.

• Fuel costs are competitive, predictable and steady.

• Low climate impact (reduced CO2 emissions, sulphur dioxide etc).

 

How it works

A heating main carries hot water from the main heat source to each termination (house, warehouse etc) within its system. At each termination an indirect heat transfer takes place, transferring heat from the district main pipe to the internal heating system through the use of heat exchangers.

The district heating system therefore provides domestic warm water all the time and in unlimited quantities. Following energy transfer at the termination the cooled water is circulated back to the boiler to be reheated and re-circulated.

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Where can it be used?

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A district heating system can be used anywhere where more than one termination is required. This can be anything from a farm with a few outbuildings, barns (etc), to a housing estate with multiple properties all requiring a heating system. Take a look at our case study of Lexam Hall for a good example of when it is appropriate to invest in district heating by clicking here.

A district heating system can work with a multitude of different heat sources including (but not limited to) biomass, ground source heat pumps (GSHP, and combined heat and power units (CHP).

Nexus Energy has vast experience in district heating schemes utilising a range of heat sources, guaranteed to make your project a success.