Consumer Scotland is claiming heat network consumers in Scotland have faced problems in a market that has had limited consumer protections to date, ahead of new regulations due to start coming into force tomorrow.

Heat networks distribute heat from a central source to multiple properties and are positioned as a key technology in Scotland and the UK’s shift to low carbon heating.

The Scottish Government estimates there are 1,090 heat networks in Scotland, providing heating and hot water to around 30,000 homes.

From tomorrow, 27 January 2026, additional regulations will start to come into effect for heat network operators and suppliers, introducing new rules intended to strengthen consumer protections.

Consumer Scotland said the market has been largely unregulated till now and evidence it reviewed suggests there may be consumer detriment across a number of areas.

This includes – high and unstable pricing, metering and billing problems and concerns around debt collection practices.

It also flagged problems linked to service quality, including outages and difficulties controlling temperatures in the home.

The report states: “This paper comes at a crucial time when both the UK Government and the Scottish Government are introducing additional regulation to support the growth and development of heat networks.

“Consumer Scotland will work to ensure that consumers’ needs are a key consideration as regulation evolves.”