FairHeat
FairHeat is a UK specialist energy consultancy providing quality assurance, design, commissioning, and training services for heat networks, serving housing associations, developers, local authorities, and ESCOs, and authored the HNTAS and HNOG industry standards.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FairHeat does
FairHeat is a UK-based specialist energy consultancy focused on heat networks (district heating) quality assurance, design review, commissioning, and operational optimisation. The firm supports housing associations, private developers, local authorities, and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) across the full lifecycle of communal and district heat schemes, with over 500 projects completed and approximately 100,000 dwellings acceptance tested. Its deliverables include independent technical due diligence, compliance audit, and remediation advisory under the standards it has helped author — notably the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) and Heat Network Operator Guidance (HNOG).
The firm's core technical assets are a proprietary Design Supplement adopted by 20+ major developers, a Heat Network Training programme that productises its accumulated expertise, and recognised authorship of the UK's principal heat network assurance standards. These assets embed FairHeat methodology upstream of construction and at the regulatory interface, creating a standards-and-knowledge moat rather than a software or asset-based one.
Commercially, FairHeat generates revenue through project-based consulting engagements, framework commissions (including the Crown Commercial Service heat networks framework), and training delivery. The firm has helped clients lead £150M+ in Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) applications, £33M in Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) bids, and secure £12M in Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) funding, evidencing strong positioning in the grant-funded decarbonisation pipeline. Since November 2024, FairHeat has operated as a 100% Employee Ownership Trust, with governance supported by an Employee Voice Group established in 2025.
FairHeat firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FairHeat
- Legal name
- Fairheat Ltd.
- Website
- https://fairheat.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FairHeat is a UK specialist energy consultancy providing quality assurance, design, commissioning, and training services for heat networks, serving housing associations, developers, local authorities, and ESCOs, and authored the HNTAS and HNOG industry standards.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FairHeat industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Heat Network Consultancy and District Heating Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (238220)
- SIC
- Steam & Air-Conditioning Supply (4961)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HVAC & Industrial Ventilation (Chillers, AHUs, Exhaust, Filtration) (EUAEAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Thermostat Repair, Calibration & Controls Service (HSAOAHAI)
Keywords
Where FairHeat is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
FairHeat business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Specialist Energy Consultancy: FairHeat provides expert consultancy services across the full lifecycle of heat networks, including preparation & briefing, feasibility, design, construction & installation, commissioning, and operations & maintenance. Revenue is generated through professional services engagements with clients including housing associations, local authorities, private developers, and ESCOs.
- Design & Build Contractor: As a design & build contractor, FairHeat delivers building-level heating upgrades and long-term operational support. The company acts as Principal Designer and Principal Contractor for retrofit projects, providing turnkey construction management.
- Training Courses: FairHeat provides government-funded training courses covering heat network technical and operational management. While previously government grant-funded, training programs represent an additional service revenue stream.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based professional services pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
FairHeat product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FairHeat is a specialist energy consultancy and design & build contractor delivering heat network and district heating services across the full project lifecycle—from preparation & briefing, feasibility, and design through construction & installation, commissioning, and operations & maintenance. It also provides Acceptance Testing, Heat Network Optimisation Studies, decarbonisation option appraisals, grant funding application support (GHNF, HNES, PSDS), and government-funded training courses. Its services are anchored by industry standards it authored, including HNTAS, HNOG, and the FairHeat Design Supplement.
Product overview
FairHeat is a performance-led engineering business operating as both a specialist energy consultancy and a design & build contractor. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of heat network services structured around three core service areas: New Build Development Services, Operational Heat Network Services, and District Heating Services. These core offerings are supported by six integrated sub-service lines covering the full project lifecycle—Preparation & Briefing, Feasibility, Design, Construction & Installation, Commissioning, and Operations & Maintenance. Additional specialist services include Heat Network Training (government grant-funded courses), Commercialisation Strategy, Heat Network Optimisation Studies, Decarbonisation Option Appraisals, Design Quality Assurance, and Project Delivery. The company's services are grounded in industry standards it authored, including the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) and CP1 (2020).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- New Build Development Services Comprehensive heat network services for new build developments, covering the full project lifecycle from early-stage planning through to long-term operation, ensuring networks meet industry regulations, perform optimally, and provide long-term value. Targeted at housing developers, housing associations, and local authorities.
- Operational Heat Network Services Expert guidance for existing heat network operators to improve efficiency, compliance, and long-term performance, supporting housing associations, local authorities, ESCOs, and private sector operators.
- District Heating Services District heating network development and operational support services at every stage, from early feasibility assessments through commercialisation and delivery into long-term operation and optimisation.
- Preparation & Briefing Services Services for setting clear and comprehensive Employer's Requirements for heat network projects, ensuring regulatory compliance, performance efficiency, and long-term operational success through frameworks including Energy Strategy Supplements, Design Supplements, Standardised Designs, and Contractor Supplements.
- Feasibility Services Early-stage feasibility support including Energy Strategy Reviews, ESCo Connection Agreement Negotiations, Regulatory Compliance Assessments, Portfolio Reviews, Heat Network Optimisation Studies, and Grant Funding Applications to ensure cost-effective, energy-efficient, and resident-aligned outcomes.
- Design Services Detailed design reviews and technical assessments for heat networks, covering RIBA Stage 3 & 4, energy centre design, and buried network design to ensure optimal performance, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
- Construction & Installation Services Specialist oversight and technical expertise during construction phases, including Contractor Design Review, Installation Review, Principal Designer, and Principal Contractor services to ensure contractor designs align with project specifications and installations meet industry standards.
- Commissioning Services Structured commissioning oversight ensuring plant equipment, distribution networks, consumer connections, and consumer heat systems are tested, validated, and optimised, with comprehensive Acceptance Testing for energy centres, substations, networks, and consumer connections.
- Operations & Maintenance Services Asset management services ensuring long-term reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance, including O&M Manual Review, Site Onboarding Assessment, Defects and Liability Period Support, Heat Loss Assessment, Water Quality Management, Remote BMS and Meter Reviews, and Risk Management.
- Heat Network Training Government grant-funded training courses for housing providers, heat network operators and engineers covering design, feasibility, operation and maintenance aspects of heat networks, including courses on performance improvement, tariff setting, HIU servicing, energy strategies, and asset management.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 500 heat network projects completed
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use FairHeat
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FairHeat technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
FairHeat partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Crown Commercial Services (CCS) DMR FrameworkcoreFairHeat is a supplier on the Crown Commercial Services DMR (Domestic, Heating, Radiation) framework, enabling public sector clients to directly engage FairHeat's services through established government procurement channels.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FairHeat competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ramboll: Global engineering consultancy with a dedicated district heating and heat networks practice covering design, optimisation, and advisory services for housing associations and developers across Europe — directly comparable to FairHeat's UK heat network consulting model.
- Kiwa: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with heat network testing and quality assurance services — directly comparable to FairHeat's Acceptance Testing methodology and HNTAS-aligned quality assurance offerings.
- Buro Happold: Engineering consultancy with strong district heating, building performance, and energy infrastructure expertise, working with developers and public sector clients on heat network design and optimisation across the UK and Europe.
- Sweco: European engineering consultancy with deep district heating and heat network expertise, particularly in Nordic and Northern European markets, serving similar municipal and developer clients with comparable design and optimisation services.
- WSP: Global engineering professional services firm with a heat networks and district energy advisory practice serving housing developers and public sector clients — comparable to FairHeat in target customer segments and service scope.
- SLR Consulting: Environmental and energy consultancy with heat network advisory and decarbonisation services for developers, housing associations, and operators in the UK — directly comparable in customer segments and energy consultancy scope.
- Mott MacDonald: International engineering consultancy with significant district heating and heat network capability, advising developers, local authorities, and ESCOs on design, feasibility, and decarbonisation — closely overlapping FairHeat's end-to-end service offering.
- AECOM: Global infrastructure consultancy with an energy and decarbonisation practice that includes heat network advisory, feasibility, and design services for public sector and developer clients — overlapping with FairHeat's customer base and service model.
Broad incumbents
- Arup: Global engineering consultancy with broad energy and buildings practices including district heating advisory — comparable technical depth but serves a much wider portfolio beyond heat networks.
- ENGIE: Large multinational energy services company with district heating operations and an advisory arm across Europe — overlaps with FairHeat on consulting but operates at much greater scale across the full energy value chain, including network ownership.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FairHeat social profiles
Digital presenceFairHeat compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
FairHeat financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FairHeat leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
FairHeat funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FairHeat M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FairHeat
What does FairHeat do?
FairHeat is a specialist energy consultancy and design & build contractor delivering heat network and district heating services across the full project lifecycle—from preparation & briefing, feasibility, and design through construction & installation, commissioning, and operations & maintenance. It also provides Acceptance Testing, Heat Network Optimisation Studies, decarbonisation option appraisals, grant funding application support (GHNF, HNES, PSDS), and government-funded training courses. Its services are anchored by industry standards it authored, including HNTAS, HNOG, and the FairHeat Design Supplement.
Is FairHeat a public or private company?
FairHeat is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was FairHeat founded?
FairHeat was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FairHeat based?
FairHeat is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does FairHeat make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Specialist Energy Consultancy is the primary driver. The others are design & Build Contractor and training Courses.
Who are FairHeat's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ramboll, Kiwa, Buro Happold, Sweco, WSP, SLR Consulting, Mott MacDonald and AECOM. Broad incumbents are Arup and ENGIE.
Does FairHeat have an API?
No public API is recorded for FairHeat.
What industry is FairHeat in?
FairHeat's product category is Heat Network Consultancy and District Heating Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEAFAE, HVAC & Industrial Ventilation (Chillers, AHUs, Exhaust, Filtration), with a secondary code of HSAOAHAI, Thermostat Repair, Calibration & Controls Service. Its NAICS code is 238220 and its SIC code is 4961.