What is a District Heating System and why do I need it?
Yesterday we gave you problems. Today let’s look at the solution. 👇
Yesterday we gave you problems. Today let’s look at the solution. 👇
A District Heating System is a method of distributing heat through a heating grid by creating a ring main carrying very hot water in highly insulated pipes fed by heat-generating plants at any point round its circumference & sub-grids to distribute hot water directly to homes. /1 
Since all options for decarbonising heat are expensive & disruptive it is helpful to focus on the quality of the outcome.
It is the only future-proofed option since any new heat-generating technologies can simply be 'plugged in' to the ring main & feed the existing system. /2
It is the only future-proofed option since any new heat-generating technologies can simply be 'plugged in' to the ring main & feed the existing system. /2
A DHS is a long-term solution to the problem of fuel poverty - there are still-functioning systems 100 years old and Denmark already has more than 60% of houses connected to district heating and is working to increase that to 75%.
So there’s proof it already works! /3
So there’s proof it already works! /3
But why should YOU care?
Well it provides by far the least expensive heating bills for households of any of the options &, depending on the mix of heat sources, might even be cheaper than natural gas.
Those bills you’re struggling to pay now? DHS can fix that. /4
Well it provides by far the least expensive heating bills for households of any of the options &, depending on the mix of heat sources, might even be cheaper than natural gas.
Those bills you’re struggling to pay now? DHS can fix that. /4
But what about me in the countryside?
Feasibility has been done on a DHS which distributes heat over 140km & estimates that it will lose no more than 10% of its heat over that distance. And while the distances in rural areas are clearly greater, installation is much easier. /5
Feasibility has been done on a DHS which distributes heat over 140km & estimates that it will lose no more than 10% of its heat over that distance. And while the distances in rural areas are clearly greater, installation is much easier. /5
And what about jobs?
It is estimated that a team of ten people could fit about 120 houses a year, meaning that a total workforce of 5,000 would be required to install an initial 60,000 houses annually. /6
It is estimated that a team of ten people could fit about 120 houses a year, meaning that a total workforce of 5,000 would be required to install an initial 60,000 houses annually. /6
Where will we get all the materials from?
Simple answer: right here.
It’s mostly piping we need, which can be sourced domestically if the supply chains to the North Sea oil industry are diversified, & heat exchangers & stores (both are currently manufactured in Scotland). /7
Simple answer: right here.
It’s mostly piping we need, which can be sourced domestically if the supply chains to the North Sea oil industry are diversified, & heat exchangers & stores (both are currently manufactured in Scotland). /7
But wont this all be too expensive?
No.
Converting all of Scotland's housing stock would therefore cost approximately £26bn, & cost of installation from a district heating ring-main to each house would be around £10,000 (slightly higher in rural areas). /8
No.
Converting all of Scotland's housing stock would therefore cost approximately £26bn, & cost of installation from a district heating ring-main to each house would be around £10,000 (slightly higher in rural areas). /8
It’s all in our fully-costed, comprehensive #GreenNewDeal for Scotland that will make your bills cheaper, your jobs better, your life happier, & your planet healthier.
Read it today ➡️ commonweal.scot/policies/the-c…
Read it today ➡️ commonweal.scot/policies/the-c…
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