Housing association installs renewable energy systems

The Meres and Mosses Housing Association (MMHA) homes have been fitted with air source heat pumps, slashing their reliance on energy for heating from the traditional suppliers.

The systems enable the homes to remain at a steady 17 to 22 degrees celsius year-round, with the help of efficient insulation, meaning they need very little temperature adjustment.

Tenant, Mark Rothery, of Griffin Close, has reported a fall in his electricity costs from £65 per week to £25 and that is expected to fall further since the recent installation of a standard meter to compliment the system.

He said: “This makes a genuine difference to the cost of keeping the house warm and it’s good to know that it’s environmentally-friendly too. We’re looking forward to seeing how it affects the house throughout the different times of the year.”

Resident liaison officer for Meres and Mosses Housing Association, Dawn Lewis, has been working with householders to help them move to a standard or green energy tariffs, away from the now unsuitable Economy 7 option.

To mark the successful completion of the installation project residents came together with the representatives from the social landlord, the supplier of the heat pump units, Mitsubishi, and the installers, Dodd Group, to enjoy a buffet lunch and share their experiences of the systems and the financial benefits they are experiencing.

Air source heat pumps work by drawing the warmth from the air and can be effective even when temperatures are as low as -15C outside. The heat they absorb is boosted as it is transferred into a fluid and then compressed by the system.

Paul Sutton, executive director for assets and development at Shropshire Housing Group, of which MMHA is a part, explained: “This is part of a programme whereby we are looking at the most efficient and effective energy schemes for properties on a case-by-case basis. Not every system suits every property, though we are building expertise all the time with different technologies we have used in different settings, from these air source heat pumps to ground source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and biomass heating. The aim is always to reduce the energy costs for our tenants and the impacts on the environment of our properties.”