The UK’s most ambitious ground source heat pump retrofit programme has been successfully completed on time and on budget, following a collaborative partnership between Yarlington Housing Group and ground source heat pump manufacturer, Kensa Engineering.
Over 200 ground source heat pumps were installed over 90 days in Somerset this Autumn, following Yarlington Housing Group’s successful bid for Government RHPP funding, which was supplemented further via Kensa’s partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy.
Julian Scott, Sustainability Manager for Yarlington Housing Group comments:
“This project is an excellent example of how Yarlington, working in partnership with Kensa, have used renewable technologies to improve our residents’ living standards and help towards alleviating fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.”
The unique project benefits 200 of the most vulnerable residents living in Yarlington’s sheltered properties.
Mr & Mrs Coombe were one of the first residents to receive the free heating upgrade:
“Everything went so smoothly, the workmen were wonderful and we are so pleased with our new ground source heat pump and radiators.
“We were concerned with the upheaval and the new technology but after living with the system now over this cold spell we have heat and hot water when we want, the hot water temperature and pressure is lovely, and we have never run out, even after a long hot bubble bath! We would advise everyone to fit a Kensa heat pump.”
In order to satisfy funding conditions installations must benefit the most vulnerable residents, hence the decision to focus the programme on sheltered bungalows.
According to Simon Lomax, Kensa’s Managing Director:
“We are delighted to have assembled the necessary financial support to allow Yarlington Housing Group to embark on this major programme. In addition to responding to the pleas of their tenants to provide lower cost heating, each heat pump will contribute a significant environmental benefit, reducing carbon emissions by around 60%.”
