HNTAS explained: the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme
Ofgem's current rules focus on consumer protection. Technical standards come next, through the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). Here's where it stands.
Last checked against official sources: 5 October 2026
What HNTAS is
HNTAS is the government's planned scheme for technical standards and assurance for heat networks in Great Britain. The government consulted on heat network technical standards and HNTAS in 2026. The consultation closed on 15 April 2026, and regulatory commencement is planned for 2027.
What was proposed
- Technical standards for heat networks, assessed through a certification process.
- Staged milestones for existing networks, rather than a single deadline.
- Requirements focused on larger networks, with lighter or no requirements for smaller ones.
- The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero acting as the code manager at first, with Ofgem as the regulator.
These were proposals. The final details, including any size thresholds, may change.
Where it stands now
HNTAS is not live. Nobody can certify a network against it today, so be wary of anyone offering "HNTAS certification" now.
What you can do now
- Keep good records of your equipment and its condition in your material asset register.
- Keep maintenance and commissioning records together.
- Ask your heating contractor what information they hold about your network.
- Watch for the government's response to the consultation.
Questions
- Do we need HNTAS certification to register with Ofgem?
- No. Registration covers consumer protection and is separate. HNTAS is not live yet.
- Will HNTAS apply to small blocks?
- The government's proposals suggested lighter or no requirements for smaller existing networks, but the final rules aren't settled.
Sources
Related guides
Heat network material asset register: what to record
What Ofgem says a heat network material asset register must record, for equipment and contracts, and how often to review and update it.
Ofgem heat network regulation: what it means for leasehold blocks
What Ofgem heat network regulation means for blocks of flats with communal heating: who is responsible, what applies now and the 2027 deadline.
Heat network continuity plan: what it must include
Ofgem's minimum contents for a heat network continuity plan, the yearly confirmation, and how a small block can put one together without consultants.