Renfrewshire Council is to replace the gas supply in two of its council housing high-rise blocks with a networked ground source heat pump solution.
Kensa is set to install the renewable heating system in the two multi-storey blocks in Gallowhill, Paisley. The company said the system collects heat from underground pipes and transfers it to homes using an individual shoebox ground source heat pump to provide heating and hot water.
The flats at Gallowhill Court and Glencairn Court were selected as the gas pipework is nearing the end of its lifespan. According to a statement, a review of potential heating systems revealed ground source heat pumps to be the most cost effective and efficient system for tenants.
Work is set to start on site August this year, with the project expected to be completed by summer 2026.
In the long term, once the gas supply has been removed residents will no longer need to pay gas standing charges. Heating costs will be included in their electricity usage which may help to simplify bills and potentially reduce overall costs, the statement said.
Cllr Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board, said: “We want to make our homes as comfortable and efficient as possible for our tenants. By introducing the ground source heating solution in Gallowhill we will deliver a reliable and environmentally friendly system which will help to simplify our tenants’ energy bills.
“As a Council, we continue to consider climate change in every decision we take and we’re reducing our emissions wherever possible in the services we deliver – while continuing to access funding opportunities to make the large-scale changes we know are needed.”
Renfrewshire Council was awarded £1,788,382 of funding from the Scottish government’s Scotland Heat Network Fund to support the delivery of the project.
Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan added: “I am very pleased that the Scottish government has been able to support this project via Scotland’s Heat Network Fund.
“This is an excellent example of the growing role that heat networks have to play in Scotland, supporting our twin aims of delivering affordable heat and reducing fuel poverty whilst also cutting carbon emissions. We want to encourage greater use of heat networks and later this year we will set out measures to attract further investment by encouraging non-domestic and especially public buildings to connect to these schemes.”
Mark Potter, regional manager for Scotland at Kensa, said: “We’re proud to be working with Renfrewshire Council on this landmark decarbonisation project. Networked heat pumps offer an effective, energy efficient solution to help flats transition away from gas and other inefficient heating systems. By connecting each flat to this system we’ll help residents stay warm and comfortable during winter, while keeping energy use and heating costs low.
“Kensa has a strong track record of delivering ground source heat pump systems for projects like this, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits it will provide for the Council, residents and the wider community.”
This project is part of wider regeneration plans for Gallowhill which is to include the development of 65 new build council homes. The statement said these will also feature low carbon air source heat pumps and a planned Gallowhill Link project.