BHESCo have been involved in two Heat Network Efficiency Studies (HNES) with blocks of flats in Brighton and Hove and the feasibility phase is now completed for both of these.
This feasibility phase has been fully funded (by the Government via DESNZ) and BHESCo have worked with a heat network expert to recommend improvement measures.
At one block we identified measures which will save £53,300 per year at an anticipated installation cost of only £104,300.
At the other block we included wider ranging options to look at completely replacing the ageing heating system and have identified a potential 65% reduction in annual heating costs for residents by moving from the existing gas system to a communal heat pump with rooftop solar PV supplying some of the energy directly to operate the heat pump.
Substantial upgrades would be needed to the heating system, which currently causes frequent, costly maintenance issues, but residents would also see an improvement in the quality of heat delivered to their flats as well as the introduction of heat metering, which is now a regulatory requirement for most communal heating systems.
We have also investigated the impact of solar PV on heat costs if installing a heat pump. Heat costs are currently around 11 p/kWh, after upgrades to the heating network, adding a large ASHP and rooftop solar PV could reduce this to 4.5 p/kWh.
HNES funding is available for capital grants which improve existing communal heating systems, which could support this block in progressing improvements and funding for a heating system supplied by heat pumps could be available from the Green Heat Network Fund if more than one block can work together to meet the criteria.
Read more about our work with heat networks:
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