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The Scheme

Scheme Modifications

All modifications to the Heat Trust Scheme are progressed in accordance with Section 17 of the Scheme Bye-Laws, which you can find here.

Each Modification Proposal is assessed by our independent stakeholder Committee for its decision on how to progress it, including whether the Committee believes that the Modification Proposal would better facilitate the achievement of our Scheme Objectives.

There are two progression routes:

  • A Fast Track Procedure for minor and non-substantive changes, which doesn't require a consultation
  • A Standard Procedure for all other changes, which includes a consultation (and, if needed, further working group assessment).

Heat Trust's non-executive Board makes the final decision on whether to approve a Modification Proposal, after considering the Committee's recommendation. You can find out more about our Committee and Board here.

If you'd like to submit a proposal to modify the Heat Trust Scheme, please complete our Modification Proposal form and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Where to find Modification Proposal information

For open modifications, please see here.

For consultations on modifications, see here.

For approved, rejected and withdrawn modifications, see below.

Approved Modifications

All of these modifications have been approved.

For more information on a specific modification, click on its title to view its full report.

  • MOD032: Facilitating a smooth Scheme transition to Ofgem regulation

  • MOD031: Clarifications to the Scheme Rules and Scheme Bye-Laws

  • MOD030: Reflect that all documentation under the Scheme is sent by email

  • MOD029: Change of Ombudsan Services name to Energy Ombudsman

  • MOD022: Audit process and information requests

  • MOD021: Reducing the minimum consultation period for modifications

  • MOD020a: Indexation of minimum Guaranteed Service Payment (GSP) amounts

  • MOD017: Metering and billing clarifications

  • MOD014: Meter reading with Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)

  • MOD013: Treating customers fairly

  • MOD010: Support for customers on pre-payment meters

  • MOD009: Introducing additional Ability to Pay Principles

  • MOD008: Supply alternative heating for vulnerable customers during unplanned interruptions that last over 12 hours

  • MOD007: Changes to definitions relating to customer vulnerability

  • MOD006: Taking meter readings for customers who can't themselves

  • MOD005: COVID relief from 5-year audit deadline

  • MOD004: Addition of debt reporting, reconnection, customers on PSR and amount of GSP and removal of connection postcode in Section 20 of Scheme Rules

  • MOD003: Proposal to Scheme Rules in order to allow heat networks that do not use individual Heat Energy Supply Agreements to apply to register with Heat Trust, provided that clear terms of service are provided within a separate document, such as a Customer Charter, which would form part of the collective Heat Customer Supply Arrangements

  • MOD002: Proposal to standardise fault response times across seasons

  • MOD001: Amend timeframe of refunds to 10 business days from calendar days 

Rejected Modifications

These modifications have been rejected. 

For more information on a specific modification, click on its title to view its full report.

  • MOD020: Guaranteed Service Payment Amounts (replaced by MOD020a - see Approved modifications above)

  • MOD012: Available methods of payment

  • MOD011: Breaking down standing charges (replaced by guidance here) 

Withdrawn Modifications

These modifications have been withdrawn, as their progression has been superseded by the introduction of statutory Ofgem regulations for heat networks.

For more information on a specific modification, click on its title to view its report.

  • MOD028: Alternative heating to customers in vulnerable situations

  • MOD027: New cumulative duration Guaranteed Service Payment

  • MOD026: Incremental penalty Guaranteed Service Payments

  • MOD025: Review and update contingency plans

  • MOD024: Claiming Guaranteed Service Payments

  • MOD023: Communications during interruptions

  • MOD019: Transparency on billing

  • MOD018: Additional Guaranteed Service Payment to align with Ofgem

  • MOD016: Claiming Guaranteed Service Payments

  • MOD015: Guaranteed Service Payment timescales

MODs 015, 016, 018 and 023-028 all aimed to change the Guaranteed Service Payments (GSPs) that Registered Participants are required make to consumers if they fail to meet Scheme standards around supply interruptions.

For a summary of the work done on MODs 015, 016 and 018, see the individual Modification Proposal reports at the links above.

For a summary of MODs 023-028, their consultation responses and the further work we would have undertaken had statutory regulation not been on the horizon, click here to read our MODs 023-028 consultation report.

 


The Heat Trust Scheme is operated by Heat Customer Protection Ltd, registered in England and Wales under company number 09456667.
Registered address: Heat Customer Protection Ltd, 6th Floor, 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0DX | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.