To date, the sector has remained unregulated, with no sector-specific protections for heat network consumers. In 2018, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) carried out a sector study finding that while, on average, heat networks deliver a comparable service to individual heating systems, there was a sufficient minority of consumers who receive significantly worse outcomes, such as high prices and frequent outages. We at WilSon energy are responsible for billing and support services in relation to your heating and hot water on behalf of your landlord or property management company. To provide these services we need to hold some information about you. There are also proposed protections for vulnerable customers, such as elderly occupants or users with specific health conditions, by ensuring improved awareness among operators about individual users connected to the network.

WilSon’s Energy assessors are always on hand to offer a bill validation service to ensure the main charges are billed correctly as well as offering a procurement service to obtain the best available energy contract. These measures will regulate the sector and Ofgem will help to ensure consumers get a fair, competitive and proficient service.Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy, said: “WilSon Energy stepped in to offer support and find a solution to the challenges the property developers were facing in 2022. By putting in a private electricity network with dedicated smart meters, which provides access to an online portal with real time data, we can put landlords and tenants in control of their energy supplies and help with invoicing. Heat Networks are a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to provide heating and hot water to residents. WilSon Energy can advise you on design, implementation and management of Heat Networks for new and existing developments What is a Heat Network? A spokesperson from the property management company added: “With the previous system that was deployed by a former contractor, the project has been inherently troubled with many issues over the last few years. Residents have been understandably unhappy about receiving incorrect bills or not being billed at all due to technical issues. With WIlSon Energy on board we are now able to rectify this” We are compliant and make ourselves accountable by following best practice so our clients benefit from a fair and transparent service that benefits the wider community and environment. We’re proud of our kit and this local support is so helpful as we aim to move up the league table. Watch this space!”

Ofgem will also have the powers to investigate and intervene on networks where prices for consumers seem disproportionate compared with heat networks with similar characteristics, or if prices are significantly higher than those consumers would expect to pay if they were served by an alternative and comparable heating system. Finally, Steve Burn moves to head of mechanical and electrical project management. For the last couple of years, he has worked successfully delivering a number of multi-utility projects in the residential sector. Fair and reliable electric billing and metering are important to tenants and managers, and compliance with the rules is a key factor in ensuring smooth relationships. Andy adds, “By working with us to install a private electricity network, landlords benefit from a full billing and metering service where we can help find the best deal from energy suppliers and validate bills to make sure they are correct and they are getting the best value for money”, says Andy. “With smart metering, we can automate the process and set up monthly billing based on what has been used. We have done this for a long time with multi-utilities and heat networks, but now we are seeing a growth in demand for electricity.” WilSon Energy provides utility billing and support services on behalf of property managers. Currently supporting over 25,000 homes across the UK, including pre-pay and post-pay tenants, WilSon Energy is also responsible for call-out support, maintenance and repair.WilSon Energy is carrying out the full mechanical and electrical installation of all metering devices and central concentrators. The project will enable the property management company to experience the benefit of the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for the first time. As well as installing the private energy network and smart meters, the firm will support the landlord with a complete meter monitoring, billing and bureau service and a customer excellence team. The consultant preferred a unit that incorporated a PICV valve rather than a differential pressure control valve, which we were able to provide. The other requirements were for a compact design and low return temperature. The units supplied incorporated a first fix rail arrangement and flushing by-pass valve.