Heat networks: the solution for sustainable heating?

Although the new energy concept of heat networks is not yet fully established in Flanders, as a leading property administrator we are one of the few that has already gained experience of this.

A heat network is an energy concept where residual heat is collected and used for centrally heating water for residential buildings, hospitals, etc.. That residual heat may come from factories or from an incinerator, for example.

Well-insulated underground pipes form a network and bring the heat to nearby homes and businesses in order to heat the water (for heating and hot water). That heat would otherwise be lost but thanks to heat networks, the energy can be reused in a sustainable way.

Residential buildings and businesses that are connected to this type of heat network do not need a boiler as they get their heat via an output station. The output station heats the water for the central heating and hot water. Finally, the hot water cools down and the cold water is piped back to the heat producer.

You may be wondering what heating via heat networks costs? Actually, the 'No More Than Otherwise principle' applies. What that means is that the costs for heating using heat networks are no higher than the costs for heating using natural gas.

Heat networks offer a range of benefits: less space is required for the installation and there is no risk of CO poisoning. Moreover, since there are no boilers or associated maintenance to pay for, the consumer only pays for the actual heat that he uses. It is also much more ecological than heating using natural gas. Because residual heat is used and no combustion is involved in heating the water, the CO2 emissions produced are lower.

As a professional property administrator, Syncura strongly supports the optimisation of energy by using heat networks, for example, because it enables heat that would normally disappear into the air to provide environmentally-friendly heating for residents.