Heat networks
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100-year-old central London fl ats prove heat pump sceptics wrong
An Edwardian-era social housing estate in Chelsea, central London, is the latest ‘complex to decarbonise’ building to get the renewable heating treatment, busting myths about whether heat pumps can work for old and existing buildings.
T
he Sutton Dwellings estate, built in 1913, has seen 81 fl ats across four blocks fi tted with Kensa’s British-made ground source
heat pumps, making these the oldest blocks of social housing fl ats in the UK so far to be heated using a networked heat pump solution. This project is part of an extensive regeneration of the estate by housing provider Clarion Housing, which started in 2019. In this phase, each new, modern social home has received highly energy- effi cient heating and hot water via its own compact ground source heat pump, that will keep energy bills low for residents while producing zero carbon emissions at the point of use. Like traditional gas boilers, the heat pumps are
small enough to be housed inside a cupboard in each fl at. However, unlike gas, renewable heat energy used by the heat pump is sourced from the ground via the 27 boreholes drilled deep beneath the estate’s tight, urban footprint. This method ensures there’s no visible impact on the historic property’s traditional red-brick exterior and allows residents to fully enjoy the landscaped outside spaces around each block. Installing networked heat pumps for Sutton
Dwellings showcases one of the solutions to decarbonise existing buildings in the UK, 80% of
Preserve history: Heat pumps can be installed without impacting a property’s historical architecture and external features Space saving: Ground source heat pumps require no outdoor storage space, leaving residents to fully enjoy gardens and outside spaces without compromise Aff ordable: Expected annual heating costs of
around £300 for a 1-bed fl at to just over £700 for a 4-bed fl at in the estate demonstrate the aff ordability of heat pumps for consumers Installing Kensa’s networked heat pump system
which are expected to still be standing in 2050. It also busts commonly held myths about heat pumps, proving that: Adaptable: Ground source heat pumps can
work for almost any property type, including older buildings and those with limited outdoor space Perfect for fl ats: Multi-unit dwellings are perfectly suitable for ground source heat pumps, with Kensa’s Shoebox fi tting inside a cupboard – much like a traditional gas boiler Urban compatibility: Dense urban environments pose no issue for ground source heat pump installations
marks the third age of heating for the historic fl at blocks, which has transitioned from coal fi replaces to gas heating, and now renewable energy. It’s also an example of how history and modern solutions can work seamlessly in tandem, off ering a pathway to retrofi t the UK’s other ‘complex to decarbonise’ buildings and homes currently heated using fossil fuels. Regenerating the 100+-year-old buildings highlights how heat decarbonisation solutions can work for the UK’s existing properties, potentially saving others from future demolition. It also follows other major social housing retrofi t projects completed by Kensa, including the installation
18 February 2025
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