Whiteley Homes Trust
Surrey, UK
- Solution type: Retirement Village
- Building type: Low Rise
Key Facts
76 purpose-built sheltered houses built in 1914 Various build types including 1-bed bungalows at 31.3 m2.
Energy performance features
- Wall: cavity wall, filled cavity and internal insulation
- Window: fully double glazed
- Roof: pitched, 270 mm loft insulation
- Floor: suspended insulated
- Previous system: electric storage heaters
Project Description
Whiteley Homes Trust is a charity that provides specialist housing for up to 450 older people who are of limited means. As most of the cottages were built in 1914, they lack many of the energy efficiency measures inherent in homes built today, and residents were struggling to stay warm with panel or storage heating.
Of the 250 cottages, around 60 were heated by a district gas heating system, while the majority were fixed with panel or storage heaters. The Trust was working with an independent energy consultant to bring their residents’ energy costs down as many residents were facing very high energy bills due to the inefficiencies of the heating technologies in place.
After a successful trial, 76 houses have been fitted with the Ambion system.
Ambion Specfication
- 1-bed bungalow
- 2 x large heat panels (820 W)
- 4 x small heat panels (430 W)
- 1 x control panel
- Total system power: 3.36kW (107.3 W/m2)
Benefits
Residents noticed a real difference in the warmth and comfort levels in the home and have seen a significant difference in their bills. One resident reported her energy bill “fell from around £70 a month to around £40 a month” (annually 1,970 kWh at 27 p/kWh), whilst enjoying 24-hour thermal comfort. The Trust has seen a 25-40% reduction in running costs, because the Ambion system has no moving parts, which keeps maintenance costs down. It is also able to ensure resident safety with panel surface temperatures restricted to 40˚C.
“My cottage is 100% warmer, and Ambion is very easy to control. It’s a really good system, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone thinking of renewing their heating system.”
Charlotte Wood, resident
“The residents within the village are now getting the benefit of superb heating at a low cost.”
Graham Boret, Independent Energy Consultant working with Whiteley Homes Trust
To learn more about Ambion low-carbon heat panels and whether they would be a good choice for your property, get in touch with our team.