Advantages of district heating
15. May 2025
How a district heating supply is created
20. May 2025Traditional heating network vs. heating network 4.0 - what's the difference?
The future of heat supply in Switzerland will be renewable, efficient and networked. The term "heating network "heating network 4.0" - as a further development of classic district heating.
But what distinguishes a classic heating network from a heating network 4.0? And what role do modern pipe systems such as the tried-and-tested KMR (plastic jacket pipe)?
THE COMPARISON
The classic heating network: efficient and established
For decades, traditional district heating networks have been supplying cities and neighborhoods with heating energy - often with flow temperatures of 90 to 130 °C. The energy sources used are waste heat from waste incineration, wood or gas.
The KMR systems used (steel pipe with PUR insulation and PE sheathing) are tried and tested in this environment, robust and durable - with high pressure and temperature resistance, ideal for long routes and main lines.
VS.
Heating network 4.0: Efficient, decentralized, flexible
Heating network 4.0 is breaking new ground: with lower temperatures (usually 40-70 °C), decentralized sources (solar, environmental heat, heat pumps) and digital control, the heat supply is becoming more flexible, sustainable and intelligent.
The combination of different technologies is typical - for example:
Solar thermal energy + return waste heat
Heat pumps + district heating feed-in
Local heat storage and sensor technology
Here too, KMR remains a central element - especially in main lines or mixing systems where performance, insulation quality and operational reliability are required.
Direct comparison: Classic vs. 4.0
| Feature | Classic heating network | Heating network 4.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 90-130 °C | 40-70 °C |
| Energy sources | Combustion, waste heat | Solar, environmental heat, heat pumps |
| Structure | centralized | decentralized / hybrid |
| KMR insert | standard | still useful for main lines |
| Pipe variants | almost exclusively KMR | KMR + flexible systems |
| Digitization | minor | integral part |
The role of KMR in the heating network 4.0
KMR pipes also play a decisive role in heating networks 4.0:
Long main lines with high throughput
Optimum insulation (DS2/DS3) to minimize losses
Long service life and mechanical robustness
Compatibility with sensors and leak monitoring systems
Depending on the temperature zone, PE-RC or flexible plastic pipes can also be useful, e.g. for short house connections or anergy zones.
Conclusion: future-proof through combination
Heating network 4.0 is not a replacement, but an extension of the traditional network - with new possibilities and decentralized solutions. Modern district heating systems remain indispensable - as the supporting infrastructure for main pipes, mixing systems and network security.
