Unlock Funding to Improve Your School’s Heating & Reduce Energy Costs
Is Your School Eligible for Free Support?
Does your school operate a communal heating system?
Would you like us to prepare a free funding application for a detailed optimisation study of your heating and hot water systems?
If your answer is “yes” to both, your school may qualify for substantial support to upgrade your heating network, reduce carbon emissions, and significantly lower your energy and operating costs.
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES)
HNES offers public and private organisations – including schools – access to grant funding to improve the performance of shared or communal heating systems.
Schools can apply for a fully funded revenue grant to fund an expert optimisation study. This study reviews your heating network, identifies inefficiencies, and recommends practical improvements with projected costs.
You may qualify if you have a communal heating system (boiler plant room generating heating and hot water for your school).
If recommended upgrades meet funding criteria, schools can also apply for capital grants (typically up to 50%) for improvements such as:
- Enhanced controls and automation
- Pump upgrades
- Pipework insulation
- Tertiary controls
- Network reconfiguration
The result: improved efficiency, lower bills, and reduced carbon footprint.
What is a Communal Heat Network?
A communal heat network is a heating system where multiple spaces or buildings are supplied with heat from a single, central source instead of each having their own individual boiler.
Your school may have a communal heat network if:
- You have one central plant room (e.g., with boilers or heat pumps) that provides heating and/or hot water to multiple blocks, such as the main school building, sports hall, sixth form, or other adjacent buildings.
- Heating and hot water are distributed through a shared pipework system rather than each block having its own standalone boiler.
- You have been told you operate a “district heating,” “communal heating,” or “shared heating” system.
If your school has a central plant room with boilers, you likely have a communal heat network and could be eligible for fully funded HNES optimisation studies.
Local Carbon Reduction Funds
Regional retrofit and community energy programmes frequently support schools in reducing energy use and modernising building services. Funding can cover feasibility studies, early-stage assessments, or capital installation.
These schemes typically offer grant or loan support for improvements such as renewable heating, fabric upgrades, improved controls, LED lighting, and feasibility studies. Schools are often eligible due to their high energy use, older infrastructure, and strong potential for measurable carbon savings. Depending on the scheme, funding can cover both early-stage assessments and capital works.
Examples include:
- Greater Manchester Public Building Retrofit Fund – Capital funding for energy-efficiency and decarbonisation projects.
- Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund – Support for low-carbon heating, efficiency upgrades, and community-focused energy initiatives across BS postcodes
Get Started
We can help your school assess eligibility and prepare a free funding application.
Access expert advice, secure funding, and take a big step toward a more efficient, low-carbon future.
Applications are limited, please contact Tim Warneford to get started at tim@warnefordconsulting.com
