Heat networks are expected to play a major role in the UK's journey to net zero, but can they deliver low-carbon, affordable and reliable heating without the right skills in place?

In this episode of Heat Networks with Chirpy Heat, Harriette Voce, Senior Heat Network Consultant at Chirpy Heat, discusses the heat network skills gap and why training is becoming increasingly important for housing providers.

She explores how years of limited regulation have contributed to knowledge gaps across the sector, why heat network management is rarely the responsibility of a single team, and how housing associations and local authorities can build the confidence needed to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.

Harriette also introduces Chirpy Heat's expanded training programme, including nine new specialist modules covering topics such as Ofgem registration and reporting, customer communications, fair pricing, contracts and operations, technical performance, and strategic management.

Most importantly, the conversation highlights why training is about much more than compliance. By improving knowledge across organisations, housing providers can make better decisions, improve network performance, strengthen customer communications and ultimately deliver better outcomes for residents.

• Why the heat network skills gap matters for housing providers
• How better knowledge can improve consumer outcomes
• The impact of heat network regulation on housing organisations
• Why heat network management requires input from multiple teams
• What Ofgem registration and reporting involves
• How customer communications fit into compliance and service delivery
• What "fair pricing" means under the new regulatory framework
• How Chirpy Heat's training programme supports housing providers
• The skills needed to deliver reliable, affordable and low-carbon heating for residents

00:00 Introduction

00:35 Why the heat network skills gap matters

02:20 How regulation is changing the sector

04:28 Chirpy Heat's approach to training

05:33 New specialist training modules explained

06:06 Customer communications and organisational skills planning

07:38 Technical performance, leadership engagement and compliance

08:25 Understanding fair pricing requirements

09:04 Contracts, procurement and contractor management

09:50 Managing externally operated heat networks

10:14 Why Ofgem registration and reporting should be a priority

11:32 Training as part of a wider compliance journey

12:31 Building confidence and turning knowledge into action

14:43 Feedback from training participants

16:24 How to find out more about Chirpy Heat training

17:47 Final thoughts

🔗 Explore heat network training with Chirpy Heat: https://chirpyheat.com/training

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What does it take to get one of the UK's largest heat network portfolios ready for regulation?

In this episode of Heat Networks with Chirpy Heat, we are joined by Sarah Cole, Senior Operations Manager at Clarion Housing Group, to discuss Clarion's journey from limited visibility of its heat network portfolio to building a structured, organisation-wide approach to compliance and regulation readiness.

Managing 160 heat networks serving around 8,000 customers, Clarion has spent the last few years developing its understanding of heat networks, improving data quality, strengthening customer arrangements and preparing for Ofgem regulation. Sarah shares the challenges, turning points and practical lessons that have helped shape that journey.

From gaining senior leadership buy-in and carrying out compliance planning, to improving frontline processes, developing heat supply agreements and learning from peers across the sector, this episode is packed with valuable insights for housing providers at every stage of their own regulation readiness journey.

As Sarah puts it:

"The biggest issue was that we didn't know what we didn't know."

In this episode

01:00 – Sarah introduces herself, her role and Clarion's heat network portfolio 02:10 – Why Clarion set up a dedicated heat metering and billing team in 2020 03:20 – The challenge of understanding heat network data and identifying compliance gaps 04:20 – Key turning points on the journey to regulation readiness 05:15 – Securing senior leadership buy-in and building organisational support 06:45 – Understanding data, customer arrangements and compliance requirements 07:35 – Why Clarion prioritised updating heat supply agreements early 09:30 – Building a successful partnership with Chirpy Heat 12:50 – Practical approaches to portfolio-wide compliance planning 14:00 – Lessons learned from Energy Bill Discount Scheme registration 16:30 – Regulation readiness reviews, compliance planning and data improvement 17:20 – Supporting frontline teams with better heat network visibility and processes 19:10 – Preparing for reporting requirements and improving data quality 20:35 – Balancing compliance, efficiency, decarbonisation and budget pressures 21:40 – Heat Network Efficiency Studies and using insights across the organisation 24:25 – Reflecting on the progress Clarion has made since 2020 26:25 – Sarah's top advice for housing providers preparing for regulation

🔗 Explore further

Find more information about the episode in our latest blog.

Ready to start your own regulation readiness journey?

Whether you're just beginning to assess your heat network portfolio or looking to strengthen your compliance plans, Chirpy Heat can help.

📧 client.relationships@chirpyheat.com 📞 0203 8272 064

Subscribe to Heat Networks with Chirpy Heat for more practical guidance, expert insights and real-world experiences from housing providers navigating heat network regulation.

Ofgem heat network registration might sound like a simple compliance exercise, but as many housing providers are discovering, the reality is far more complex.

In this episode of Heat Networks with Chirpy Heat, we’re joined by Sam Lawrenson to unpack what’s really involved in getting registration right. Drawing on hands-on experience supporting housing associations and local authorities, Sam shares the insights you won’t find in official guidance, covering the organisational, governance, and data challenges that can slow progress or create risk.

Whether you’re just starting to think about registration or already gathering your data, this episode will help you understand where the real effort lies—and how to avoid common pitfalls.

🔍 What you’ll learn

• Why Ofgem registration is more than just data submission
• The hidden blockers that can delay progress early on
• What SMRI requirements mean in practice
• Why data confidence matters before submission
• How to approach registration as a structured, organisation-wide process

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction Overview of the podcast and today’s focus on Ofgem registration

01:15 – What is Ofgem heat network registration? Understanding the regulatory context and requirements

03:30 – Why registration is more complex than it seems Moving beyond the idea of a simple submission process

05:00 – Step 1: Identifying your regulatory contact Why this role is critical—and often a blocker

07:00 – Step 2 and 3: Organisation details and SMRI declaration Governance, senior responsibility, and “fit and proper” requirements

11:30 – Step 4: Data collection and validation Why data gaps are common and how to approach them

14:00 – Step 5: Deadlines and timelines Why starting early is essential

15:30 – How Chirpy Heat can help Overview of support services across the registration journey

21:30 – Common challenges and misconceptions Where housing providers typically get stuck

27:00 – Final thoughts and key takeaways What to focus on next

🔗 Explore further

Find more information about the episode in our latest blog.

📩 Need support?

Chirpy Heat supports housing providers at every stage of Ofgem registration, from early planning through to submission.

👉 Register your interest in our Ofgem registration service to find out how we can help you get it right, first time.

Or email: client.relationships@chirpyheat.com