Spades have hit the ground to kickstart an innovative project to upgrade the heating systems, make homes warmer and cut fuel bills in 3 council-owned tower blocks in Chadwell St Mary.
Old storage heaters and hot water systems will be replaced in each flat with ground source heat pumps. The project will dramatically enhance the blocks' energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and will help combat mould.
Over the lifetime of this installation, the total emissions saving of the heat pumps is projected to be 7,080 tons of carbon dioxide. This is the equivalent of taking 1,540 cars off Thurrock's roads, significantly improving local air quality and reducing the council's carbon footprint. Most importantly the project is set to secure 40% to 50% savings on residents' annual energy bills.
Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, visited Gooderham House, Poole House and George Tilbury House to see works starting on site, which will see 273 council properties benefit from the scheme. He was joined by Kensa Contracting, who have been appointed by Thurrock Council to undertake the works.
Cllr Gledhill said: "This huge investment from government has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to offer our residents an energy efficient heating system which utilises the natural heat in the ground. There is no doubt that this project will help residents in these homes, cutting their fuel bills by more than £500 as well as help play our part to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel."
Cllr Luke Spillman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "This funding has been specifically granted to deliver a trailblazing heating solution that is the first of its kind for Thurrock Council. The old storage radiators and hot water systems in each of the 273 flats will be replaced with a significantly better, cost-effective and greener solution.
"This is great news for our residents, and I would like to thank the government for awarding this funding and helping us better support our residents and tackle fuel poverty by driving down fuel bills and keeping our homes warmer and greener."
Dr Stuart Gadsden, Commercial Director of Kensa Contracting, said: "Ambitious, large-scale projects like this one undertaken by Thurrock Council are key to meeting the government’s targets of 600,000 heat pump installs per year by 2028. More than 80% of UK homes will still be in use in 2050, so it is clear that existing buildings will have to undergo significant improvements or deep retro-fitting to meet the challenge of decarbonisation.
"Networked heat pumps are proven to provide the lowest carbon, lowest running costs and lowest whole life cost solution, especially for heating high rise developments. These systems help housing providers lower their environmental impact and future-proof their assets, whilst protecting their tenants from fuel poverty."
The council was awarded £3.2million by the government to finance the project following its successful bid under the first wave of funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The fund aims to support local authorities and social landlords retrofit their housing stock at scale over the next 10 years.
Photo below: Cllr Gledhill pushes the button to start works.
