When installing a heat pump you are required to get permission from the District Network Operator - DNO - before making the connection. This is because the DNO, who are responsible for managing the network, need to check whether the local network can handle the additional load from a new heat pump installation. If you install a heat pump without permission, you could be forced to remove it.
DNO applications for existing electricity supplies are handled by us, in-house, as part of our service. When considering which heat pump partner to choose, this is an important factor to consider. Navigating the DNO process can be a challenge, and it is a requirement of the MCS scheme to have the DNO permission in place for a heat pump installation.
What Is A DNO And Why Does It Matter?
Image: Ofgem
DNO stands for District Network Operator. In the UK there are 14 different DNO regions, managed by 6 separate DNOs, each responsible for looking after the local electrical network in their area. The DNO is separate from your energy supplier, instead a part of your energy bill to your supplier is paid to the local DNO for managing the electricity connection to your house.
When installing a heat pump in your home, whilst you are making a decision that will reduce carbon emissions, the electricity load on your house will increase. As more and more heat pumps get connected onto the grid, it is the responsibility of the DNO to ensure that the grid can cope with the additional demand. As a result, it is a mandatory requirement to request permission of the local DNO, prior to connecting a heat pump.
If you install a heat pump without getting DNO approval beforehand, you could be forced to remove it or retrospectively pay for upgrades. The vast majority of upgrade work is completed by the DNO free of charge, so it always makes sense to apply for permission beforehand anyway.
What Is A DNO Application?
If you’re thinking of connecting a heat pump to your existing electricity supply, navigating the various forms and processes set out by the DNOs can be complicated. That is why here at Alto Energy, we handle the DNO application process for you if you’re connecting onto an existing supply. If you’re installing a brand new electricity supply (for example for a new build home or a new supply for a barn conversion project), whilst we cannot do the application for the new supply for you, we provide all the information you need to add on to your new connection application.
Connecting a heat pump to an existing supply
If you’re thinking of installing a heat pump in your home, you will need to connect the heat pump to your existing electricity supply. We will apply to the DNO on your behalf. The process for the connection application will be the following:
We will collect information about your current electricity supply and load. This will either be collected on site by our engineer during the site survey, or we might ask you to send it some photographs of your incoming fuse, fuseboard and meter.
We will assess the new Maximum Demand (“MD”) of the property once the heat pump has been factored in.
If the new MD is going to be over 60A (which is the case in most instances), we will then prepare a DNO application form using the industry standard documents, and submit the application.
If any upgrade works are required to your supply, this is usually completed free of charge, especially if your current supply rating is lower than is typical in the UK.
The DNO will then inform us that we have permission to connect, and the heat pump installation can then commence.
connecting a heat pump to a new supply
If you’re building a new house or barn conversion, chances are you’re getting a new electricity supply to site. In these instances, we cannot complete the DNO application for you, instead the data for the heat pump needs to be incorporated into your application to the DNO for the new supply. We supply all of this information to you as a matter of course, and our technical team are always on hand to provide any additional information or clarification you may need as part of your application process for the new supply.
When Is The DNO Application Made?
The simple answer is as early as possible.
The point at which we know exactly what heat pump you’re having is after we have completed the detailed MCS room by room calculations, and therefore completed our detailed technical sign off. At this point, if there is additional information about your supply that we require, we will request it.
Due to the growing demand for heat pumps and electric vehicles, a number of DNOs are currently struggling with the volume of connection applications, which is causing significant delays. A process that should typically take just 10 days, is in some instances taking 2 - 3 months. As a result, we are therefore asking customers to provide the information we need at their earliest convenience, even if the installation doesn’t need to be carried out for some time, so that we can gain permission to make the connection, and not cause any hold ups in the project.
Contact Alto Energy
If you’re considering a heat pump on your next project, and are unsure about the DNO process and what’s involved, then please give our knowledgeable team a call today.