Energy bills row forces rethink on heating plan

THE planned roll-out of private heat networks - which can leave people with sky-high energy bills, trapped with a supplier they didn't necessarily choose is being reviewed.

-  ETHAN DAVIES

It follows concerns highlighted by the M.E.N. last month at The Chips building on Lampwick Lane in Ancoats, where residents live on a private heat network, meaning they cannot change energy supplier.

People living there were up-in-arms over sky-rocketing energy bills, with one saying his monthly tariff had gone up from around £60 per month to £425 for July.

Private heat networks use insulated pipes to move heat from energy source to multiple homes or businesses all located in the same area, with 'communal' networks only covering one building, and 'district' networks covering multiple premises in close proximity.