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Last edited 16 Jul 2017
A technical guide to district heating (FB 72)
District heating (DH) allows centralised heat sources to be connected to distributed heat consumers. Typically it comprises; one or more energy centres, the pipe network, and connections to consumers. The high heat loads compared to individual, independent systems allow economies of scale and smoother demand, leading to more efficient operation of the energy centre. It also allows the use of heat sources that would not be viable at a smaller scale.
FB 72 presents comprehensive information outlining system and component design, operation and maintenance. The 54 page guide is largely an update of Good Practice Guide 234, Guide to community heating and CHP, but it has been extended to emphasise the importance of other low-carbon sources of heat other than combined heat and power (CHP) including thermal renewable energy.
Its contents include:
- Executive summary.
- What is district heating?
- System design.
- Component design.
- Operations and maintenance.
- Relevant standards, codes of practice and publications.
 Find out more
 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BSRIA guide to heat interface units.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Combined heat and power.
- Community energy network.
- Geothermal energy.
- Heat interface units.
- Heat meter.
- Heat Networks Investment Project HNIP.
- Municipal energy - briefing sheet.
- National heat map.
- Water source heat map.
- What can government do about district heating.
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