Pioneering green energy project wins national award

The project in the Fernside area of Almondbury won the public sector project of the year award and was runner-up in the domestic installation category at the recent National Heat Pump Awards.

The project, one of the largest in the country, involved Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) replacing inefficient electric storage heaters in 180 flats and bungalows with ground source heat pumps.

Ground source heat pumps work by using the earth as a heat source to provide both heating and hot water.

Bore holes are drilled down 80 metres to capture this heat, where the temperature stays constant year round. The concentrated heat is distributed through the home via traditional radiators and hot water cylinders.

The heat pumps are already paying off. Last winter, one of the coldest on record, residents saw their energy use fall by between a third and a half.

In addition, most of the homes already have solar panels fitted, which means that on some bright or sunny days, the heat pumps will run on solar energy, effectively providing free heating and hot water.

The £1.6m scheme is part of a much bigger project to improve energy efficiency in Kirklees Council homes as well as tackle carbon emissions and fuel poverty.

Using the council’s money, KNH is half-way through a five year, £13m programme of work and is investing £8.5m on thermal cladding on properties that can’t have cavity wall insulation.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet member for investment and housing, Peter McBride, said: “This project is an important addition to the way we use renewable energy in Kirklees and provides a model for others to follow. I’m very pleased that the project has received this recognition.”

KNH chief executive Simon Rogers said: “Everyone involved in the scheme is thrilled that their work has been recognised because it helps confirm that our approach in Kirklees is the right one.

“Tackling fuel poverty is one of KNH’s key priorities but so too is supporting the council’s green ambition and reducing the overall carbon footprint in Kirklees.”