Today improvement works begin on Schaffer House in Maidenbower to install a renewable source of energy for its tenants.
Crawley Borough Council's housing repairs contractors, Mitie, are working in partnership with Baystar, building engineers specialising in sustainable energy solutions to install a renewable source of energy.
The two existing boilers will be replaced with a 'water source heat pump' that takes heat from the stream and uses it to provide space heating and hot water to the tenants of Schaffer House.
Cost and carbon savings
While heat pumps are uncommon in urban areas due to easier access to a cheaper gas supply, due to the government's renewable heat incentive scheme, the new system has financial benefits for the council and tenants.
Costing £86,000, the council will see a combined annual income and savings of up to £12,700 and a carbon reduction of 49 per cent.
"This is a great development for the council and I'm pleased to see that we're becoming as energy efficient as possible while saving money in the long run," said Councillor Stephen Joyce, Cabinet Member for Housing at Crawley Borough Council.
The new system
"Water source heat pumps provide a great sustainable energy solution where there is a water source such as a stream, like here at Schaffer House. We are excited that Crawley Borough Council believe in the benefits of the system. The system is better for the environment and better for their pockets in the long-term, and we're looking forward to optimising the energy efficiency of Schaffer House for the Council and its residents," said Tessa Guy, Director of Baystar.
The new system will work effectively while temperatures are above freezing and the property will have a brand new backup boiler installed if temperatures drop below freezing.
The works
The works are expected to last between four and six weeks. There will be minimal impact on the surrounding areas with removal of some trees on the bank of Stamford Brook taking place first, to make way for the installation of pipework.
