BOILERS, PUMPS, VALVES & PIPES


HEAT PUMPS: DRIVING THE GREEN REVOLUTION IN OLD BUILDINGS


Ground source heat pumps from Kensa are being installed in new one-and two-bedroom flats in a 19th-century former vicarage, showing how such technology can be used in both urban locations and older properties


S


t Ives Community Land Trust is a local not-for- profit group working to provide affordable


rental homes in the heart of St Ives, Cornwall. As part of the initiative, Kensa’s Cornwall-made ground source heat pumps are being installed in the former Old Vicarage, dating back to the early 1800s, which The Trust is regenerating into six modern homes for the local community. Scheduled for completion later this year, each


new affordable home will feature a compact Kensa ground source heat pump discreetly housed within the property. A combination of Kensa Shoebox NX and Shoebox heat pumps will be installed to deliver highly efficient, low-carbon renewable heating and hot water for each property, helping to keep energy bills and carbon footprints low for residents. The project involves drilling five boreholes in the property’s rear garden and, with the vicarage located in the town centre, the drill rig had to travel through the building to reach the drilling location. These boreholes will be used to access renewable heat energy, which the heat pumps will harness.


LOW-CARBON HEATING Installing ground source heat pumps in the mix


of one- and two-bedroom flats is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 80% compared to heating them using conventional gas systems. By adopting Kensa’s energy-efficient technology,


the project will achieve zero carbon emissions at the point of use, and showcase how ground source technology can be used in both urban locations and older properties. “We’re often told that old properties aren’t suitable for heat pumps, and this is another in a long list of examples proving that wrong,” commented Stuart Gadsden, commercial director at Kensa. He continued: “Once


“Our systems’ high


complete, residents will enjoy the benefits of our ground source heat pumps – one of the most effective low-carbon heating solutions available today. Our systems’ high energy efficiency will ensure year-round comfort, with heating and hot water available whenever needed, without concerns about soaring energy costs or environmental impact.”


THE BENEFITS “We wanted to reduce


the carbon emissions of our building and seek to reduce the overall costs to our tenants”, explained Jill Block, project lead, St Ives Community Land Trust. “Our tenants will be living in well-insulated homes with the benefit of


10 ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Spring 2025


energy efficiency will ensure year-round comfort, with heating and hot water available whenever needed, without concerns about soaring energy costs or environmental impact”


future energy cost savings. The Trust expects to benefit from reduced maintenance costs over the life expectancy of GSHP equipment compared to alternative options, thereby supporting our ambition to continue to provide affordable rental homes in the most cost-effective manner for our tenants over a much longer term. “For every unit of electricity used by the heat pump, three to four units of heat are captured and transferred. In effect this means a well-installed GSHP can be 300-400% efficient in terms of its use of electricity. “At this efficiency


level there will be 70% lower carbon dioxide emissions than for a gas boiler heating system. If the electricity


is provided by renewable energy, then carbon


emissions can be reduced to zero. Our view is that we wanted to do the best for our local community that we can.”


Johnny Wells, Mayor of St Ives, added:


“I’m thrilled to be here at the Community Land Trust project that we’ve got going on in the heart of St Ives and seeing how it’s going to be made using renewable sources of energy and drilling into the ground to get some ground source heat. It’s brilliant to see these projects underway and as the town council we’re really pleased to see the support that we’re putting in to these projects coming to fruition, it’s great.” Finally, Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, said: “It’s great to welcome a Cornish company with environmental values that support Cornwall Council’s vision for sustainable living to Town Deal, creating six affordable homes with renewable, low carbon and efficient heating and hot water.”


Kensa www.kensa.co.uk


www.essmag.co.uk


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