Frequently
asked
Questions
Your Questions Answered
We want everyone to have the opportunity to ask questions about the Kirby Misperton Heat Network and receive clear, straightforward answers.
Browse the questions and answers below to find out more about the project, what it could mean for the local area and how it may affect you. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, you can submit your own question to the project team
General questions.
- No upfront installation costs.
- Reliable heating and hot water.
- No oil deliveries.
- No replacing expensive boilers.
- Lower maintenance.
- Stable heating costs.
- Lower carbon emissions.
- Increase the value and EPC of my home
No.
CeraPhi’s aim is to install everything needed to connect every home within the initial connection stage to the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network at no upfront cost to home owner subject to committing to join the community heat network system within that initial connect and onboarding phase.
This includes the installation of the home heating equipment, such as the heat pump, together with all associated pipework, controls, and connection to the community heat network.
Instead of paying to buy and maintain your own heating system, you simply purchase the heat you use, much like you do today for electricity or water. CeraPhi will design, install, own, operate and maintain the geothermal energy infrastructure, removing the need for residents to make a significant upfront investment.
This approach offers several benefits:
- No initial upfront installation costs.
- Future proofing, no need to replace an ageing gas, oil, LPG or electric heating system.
- Reliable heating and hot water supplied from a renewable geothermal source.
- Better performance so reduced need to undertake other fabric maintenance activities to support property EPC (Energy Performance Rating)
- Professional maintenance and 24/7 long-term support.
- Protection from the volatility of fossil fuel prices.
- A simple, affordable way to transition to low-carbon heating.
Our aim is to make joining the community heat network as easy and affordable as possible, removing one of the biggest barriers that many households face when considering low-carbon heating.
Please note: The final installation arrangements will be confirmed as the detailed design progresses and are subject to the successful completion of the project and funding requirements. Properties that do not wish to connect to the Community Heat Network within the initial onboarding period, would have to cover the cost of their own heat pump and accrue a connection charge in the future should they wish to connect to the community heat network.
The current grant funding supports Phase 1 of the project, which includes the development of the geothermal well and the initial heat network serving the main anchor buildings. This phase also includes the connection of a number of nearby residential properties located close to Dewars Hotel.
The project has been designed with future expansion in mind. If there is sufficient interest from residents, CeraPhi Energy intends to immediately develop Phase 2, which could extend the heat network to additional residential properties, including homes on Main Street where technically and economically feasible.
Residents who are not included in the initial phase are encouraged to register their interest, as this information will help inform the planning and development of future phases.
The first phase of the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network will connect several key community buildings, together with a selection of nearby homes close to the Flamingo Land and the Dewars Hotel.
However, this is only the beginning.
The community heat network has been designed so it can be expanded to serve all the homes across the village and wider area. To enable this we required support from the community via registering resident’s interest. CeraPhi Energy plans to extend the network into other parts of Kirby Misperton, including properties along Main Street and other suitable locations.
If your property is not included in the initial phase, we strongly encourage you to register your interest. Every registration helps us understand local demand and supports the planning and development of future expansion phases.
Registering your interest does not commit you to connecting or incur any cost now or in the future. It simply allows us to keep you informed, assess demand, and consider your property as the network grows.
Our ambition is to make affordable, low-carbon geothermal heating available to as many homes and businesses in the area as possible over time.
As with any infrastructure project, there will be some temporary disruption during construction. However, CeraPhi Energy will work with its contractors and North Yorkshire Council to minimise any inconvenience to residents.
Within the village, the heat network will be installed in small sections, with trenching progressing along short lengths at a time rather than excavating the entire route at once. This approach helps minimise disruption to residents, businesses and road users, while allowing access to properties to be maintained wherever possible.
Before construction begins, residents will be provided with advance notice of the planned works, expected durations and any temporary traffic management arrangements. Every effort will be made to complete each section efficiently and reinstate the road or footpath as soon as practicable.
Like any utility activities there will be some temporary disruption while the new geothermal community heat network is being installed, but every effort will be made to keep this to an absolute minimum. Rather than excavating long sections of road all at once, the network will be constructed in short, carefully managed sections, with each area completed and reinstated before work moves on to the next. This approach helps minimise disruption to residents, businesses, and visitors, while maintaining access to homes wherever it is safe and practical to do so.
Before any work begins, residents will receive advance notice explaining:
- When work is due to start in their area.
- How long it is expected to last.
- Any temporary traffic management or parking arrangements.
- Who to contact if they have any questions or require assistance.
Our contractors will work closely with North Yorkshire Council, residents and businesses to ensure the works are completed as safely, efficiently, and quickly as possible.
While there may be some short-term inconvenience during construction, the result will be a long-term investment in Kirby Misperton’s future—providing reliable, low-carbon community heating for decades to come.
We appreciate your patience during the construction period and will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum.
CeraPhi Energy understands that your home and garden are important to you. Wherever possible, we will use existing routes and carefully planned installation methods to minimise disruption to your property.
If work within your garden or driveway is required to connect your home, our contractors will discuss the proposed works with you in advance and explain exactly what will happen.
Once the connection has been completed, any areas affected by the installation will be reinstated to a condition as close as reasonably practicable to their original appearance.
Our aim is to complete the work safely, efficiently and with the minimum possible inconvenience, ensuring your property is treated with care and respect throughout the installation process.
One of the advantages of the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network is that, providing the property currently has a wet radiator system the existing system can continue to be used with very minimal or no other retrofitting.
Before your home is connected, CeraPhi Energy will carry out a free property assessment to understand your current heating system and ensure it will provide comfortable temperatures throughout your home.
In many cases, little or no modification will be required.
Where improvements are recommended, these will usually be limited to a small number of radiators or heating controls to optimise the performance and efficiency of the system.
Any proposed changes will be fully discussed with you before any work is carried out.
If your property does not have radiators, we can still discuss options to connect you to the system, and we will agree a process to do that retrofit if you with to be connected.
Our aim is to make the transition to geothermal community heat network available to the whole community where possible and make the transition as straightforward as possible, minimising disruption while ensuring your home remains warm, comfortable and energy efficient.
Yes.
Your home will continue to have reliable hot water, just as you do today.
The geothermal community heat network is designed to provide both heating and hot water throughout the year, ensuring you have hot water whenever you need it.
For most residents, using hot water will feel no different from their existing system. Whether you’re having a shower, running a bath or washing the dishes, the system is designed to provide a reliable supply of hot water for everyday living.
Before your home is connected, CeraPhi Energy will assess your existing heating and hot water system to ensure the new installation is designed to meet your household’s needs.
Our aim is to provide a seamless transition, so you can enjoy the benefits of low-carbon heating without compromising on comfort or convenience.
No.
The Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network is designed to operate very quietly.
Unlike many air source heat pumps, there are no large outdoor fan units installed outside your home.
The geothermal infrastructure is located underground or within a central Energy Centre away from residential properties. Any equipment installed inside your home operates quietly within regulatory standards and is comparable to the sound levels of a modern domestic heating system.
Once the installation is complete, you’ll simply enjoy reliable heating and hot water without the noise associated with oil burners, LPG systems, or outdoor air source heat pumps.
No.
The geothermal community heat network is designed to keep your home warm, comfortable and at the temperature you choose, just like a modern gas, oil or LPG heating system.
Before your home is connected, CeraPhi Energy will carry out a detailed assessment of your property and existing heating system to ensure it can provide the level of heating and hot water your household requires. If any improvements are recommended to optimise performance, these will be discussed with you before installation.
Unlike some heating systems that can be affected by cold outdoor temperatures, geothermal energy comes from the naturally stable temperatures deep below the ground. This provides a reliable and consistent source of heat throughout the year, helping to keep your home warm even during the coldest winter weather.
That’s a perfectly reasonable question.
If your oil boiler is working well, you may not feel an immediate need to replace it. However, many homeowners choose to switch before their boiler reaches the end of its life to have security of energy costs and avoid the inconvenience of an unexpected breakdown or expensive replacement, given there is no cost to connect initially.
By joining the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network, you will benefit from no upfront installation costs, reliable heating and hot water, no more oil deliveries or oil tank maintenance, and stable, predictable heating costs.
You’ll also be helping to reduce carbon emissions while future-proofing your home with a modern, low-carbon heating system that is professionally operated and maintained.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Our aim is to provide residents with a heating service that offers greater convenience, long-term value and peace of mind, making the decision to switch an attractive one—not a necessary one.
Yes.
Having an existing air source heat pump does not prevent you from connecting to the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network.
Every property is different, so CeraPhi Energy will carry out an individual assessment to determine the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your home.
In some cases, your existing heat pump may be able to continue operating as part of the overall heating system, specifically if you have cooling. In others, connecting directly to the geothermal heat community network may provide improved efficiency, lower running costs, and simpler long-term maintenance.
If you’ve already invested in low-carbon heating, we’ll work with you to understand your current system and discuss the options available. Our aim is always to recommend the solution that provides the best long-term value and performance for your home.
The project is still in the design and planning stage, and community feedback is an important part of the process.
Residents are encouraged to attend the regular Community Engagement Events, where the project team will:
- Provide updates on the project.
- Explain how the geothermal heat network will operate.
- Discuss the proposed programme and future phases.
- Answer questions from residents.
- Listen to community feedback and suggestions.
Further details of future engagement events will be shared through the Parish Council and other local communication channels.
We look forward to meeting residents and discussing the project as it progresses.
We want the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network to be developed with the community, not just for the community.
The project is currently progressing through its design and planning stages, and residents will have plenty of opportunities to learn more, ask questions and share their views as the project develops.
We encourage everyone to attend our Community Engagement Events, where you will be able to:
- Meet the CeraPhi Energy project team.
- Learn how geothermal community heating works and how the community heat network will benefit:
- your energy comfort,
- help reduce cost,
- help the environment
- even increase the value of your property through better EPC rating and performance.
- Find out what to expect during construction and installation.
- Hear about the proposed project timeline and future expansion plans.
- Ask questions and receive answers directly from our technical specialists.
- Share your feedback and help shape the future of the project.
We’ll also provide regular project updates through the Kirby Misperton Parish Council, local newsletters, community noticeboards, this website, and other local communication channels.
Once you're connected
The Community Heat Network will operate under Ofgem regulations, and CeraPhi’s intention is to ensure that the cost of heat supplied through the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network is competitive with other heating options available to residents.
Our aim is to provide long-term price stability, helping to protect households from the significant fluctuations often experienced with gas, oil, LPG and other fossil fuels.
To provide certainty, our intention is that annual price increases will be linked to inflation and will not exceed the agreed inflation index, rather than being driven by volatile fuel markets.
Before deciding whether to connect, every resident will receive clear information on the proposed tariffs and billing arrangements, allowing them to make an informed choice.
Yes.
The geothermal community heat network is designed to provide reliable heat all year round on demand, your heat pump will boost this to service your radiators and hot water all year round, including during the coldest winter weather.
Unlike air source heat pumps, which become less efficient as outside temperatures fall, geothermal systems use the constant temperature of the ground, providing a stable and dependable source of heat whatever the weather.
Your home will continue to use familiar heating systems, such as radiators and hot water cylinders where appropriate, so the way you heat your home will feel much the same as it does today.
Whether it’s freezing outside or snowing, the system is designed to deliver the heating and hot water your home needs, keeping you warm and comfortable throughout the year.
One of the key benefits of joining the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network is that you’re not left to deal with heating problems on your own.
CeraPhi Energy will own, operate, and maintain the community heating infrastructure and will provide a dedicated customer support service.
If you experience a heating issue, you’ll simply contact our support team rather than having to find and pay for your own heating engineer.
A qualified local maintenance technician will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to faults and restore your heating and hot water as quickly as possible.
As the heat network will operate under the Ofgem Heat Networks regulatory framework, residents will benefit from defined service standards, customer protections, and a formal complaints process.
Our aim is to provide a reliable, professionally managed heating service, giving you greater peace of mind than maintaining an individual boiler or heating system yourself.
The geothermal heat network is being developed as a long-term piece of community infrastructure with an expected operational life of more than 50 years.
While CeraPhi Energy intends to own and operate the network for many years, the project will be structured to ensure that residents’ heating service is protected regardless of who operates it in the future.
As a regulated heat network operator, CeraPhi will be required to comply with the Ofgem Heat Networks regulatory framework, which includes customer protection measures and continuity of service requirements.
If ownership or operation of the network were ever to change, the heat supply agreements and the infrastructure would transfer to a suitably qualified replacement operator, ensuring that residents continue to receive heating and hot water with as little disruption as possible.
Your agreement is for the supply of heat, not for the ownership of CeraPhi Energy.
The network infrastructure remains in place and continues to operate, even if ownership or management changes in the future.
No.
The geothermal community heat network is designed to provide a long-term heating service, like all energy supplier you will have the opportunity to change supplier although the network will be always provided by a single source supplier, such as CeraPhi, with an initial commitment for connection, but you will not be “locked in forever.”
Like other utility services, the community network requires significant investment to install and maintain the underground pipes, Energy Centre, and home heating equipment. To keep the connection at no upfront cost to residents and provide stable, competitive heating prices, heat is supplied under a long-term Heat Supply Agreement.
The agreement will clearly explain your rights, responsibilities, and the circumstances in which the agreement can be ended. Before deciding to connect, every resident will receive full details of the terms and conditions, giving you the opportunity to make an informed decision.
Our aim is not to tie people into a contract, but to provide a reliable, affordable, and professionally managed community heating service that residents should want to connect and will be happy to remain connected to for many years.
The geothermal community heat network is designed to operate as a Heat as a Service solution.
This means that CeraPhi Energy will own, operate and maintain the main energy infrastructure, including the geothermal well, energy centre, heat network and, where applicable.
Whilst the initial heat pump will be installed and commissioned by CeraPhi as part of the home heating equipment installed as part of heat network connection within the project.
Following installation, the homeowner will own the heat pump which would be cover under the manufactures warranty with CeraPhi providing the system heat to the heat pump.
CeraPhi will be responsible for maintaining the network system, ensuring it continues to operate safely and efficiently throughout its life.
Your responsibility will simply ensure the heat pump is maintained, as you would with any current boiler, and pay for the heat you use on a subscription base model, much like you do today for other utility services such as electricity or water.
At the end of the agreed operating period, ownership of the energy infrastructure may transfer to the local community or another approved long-term operator, ensuring the network continues to provide reliable, low-carbon heating for future generations.
Once your home has been successfully connected to the geothermal community heat network and your new heating system is fully operational, your existing boiler and oil/gas storage tank will no longer be needed.
Subject to the final installation agreement, CeraPhi Energy intends to offer the safe decommission and removal of your oil tank and associated equipment, disposing of it in accordance with all relevant environmental regulations.
Systems will be emptied, made safe and removed by qualified contractors.
Removing your oil tank not only frees up valuable space in your garden or around your property, but also means you’ll no longer need to arrange fuel deliveries, monitor oil levels or worry about the risk of leaks, spills or smell, or expensive tank replacements.
It’s one less thing to maintain, giving you a cleaner, safer and more convenient heating solution.
While CeraPhi Energy cannot guarantee the future value of any individual property, homes with modern, low-carbon heating systems are becoming increasingly attractive to buyers as energy efficiency, running costs and environmental performance become more important.
By connecting to the Kirby Misperton Geothermal Community Heat Network, your home could benefit from a reliable renewable heating system, no oil tank or fuel deliveries, lower carbon emissions, and the potential for an improved Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating where applicable.
These are all features that many homebuyers are increasingly looking for. As the UK continues its transition towards low-carbon heating, homes connected to modern heat networks are expected to become an increasingly attractive proposition for future purchasers.
Like most utility services, the cost of heating may change over time to reflect inflation and the ongoing cost of operating and maintaining the heat network.
However, unlike wood pellets, gas, oil and LPG, which can experience significant and unpredictable price fluctuations, CeraPhi’s intention is that any annual increase will be linked to inflation and will not exceed the agreed inflation index set out in your Heat Supply Agreement.
This means you’ll benefit from clear, transparent and predictable pricing, helping you budget with confidence and protecting you from the sharp price rises often associated with fossil fuels.
Before you decide to connect, you’ll receive full details of how your heating charges are calculated, so you’ll always know how future price changes will be managed.
A: CeraPhi Energy understands that your home and garden are important to you. Wherever possible, we will use existing routes and carefully planned installation methods to minimise disruption to your property. If work within your garden or driveway is required to connect your home, our contractors will discuss the proposed works with you in advance and explain exactly what will happen. Once the connection has been completed, any areas affected by the installation will be reinstated to a condition as close as reasonably practicable to their original appearance. Our aim is to complete the work safely, efficiently and with the minimum possible inconvenience, ensuring your property is treated with care and respect throughout the installation process.