Linc Cymru
Maesyfynnon Club Street, Aberdare
- Solution type: Social Housing
- Building type: Three-floor, 40-unit block
Key Facts
The Aberdare Extra Care Maesyffynon is a case study of a project involving Linc Cymru Housing Association, which is part of the Pobl Group, in Wales. The project, located at Maesyfynnon Club Street, Aberdare, CF44 6TW, was completed in August 2024 and involved a significant upgrade to a 40-unit block. This three-floor building is constructed from 120 modular units and is social housing. The project was supported by the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) and had a total cost of approximately £200,000. The core of the upgrade was the installation of the Ambion Low Carbon Heating System.
Project Description
In 2024, Linc Cymru Housing Association upgraded all 40 flats at its Aberdare Extra Care facility in Maesyffynon by installing the Ambion Low Carbon Heat Panel system. The building, completed in 2020, is one of the first of its kind in Wales to use modular construction for an Extra Care development. Before the upgrade, tenants had concerns about their flats being cold, as the existing heat pump air conditioners were ineffective in cold weather (below ) and sometimes blew cold air. The association also faced frequent repair costs and expensive replacement parts for the old system. Linc Cymru worked with Hoare Lea, an engineering consultancy, to advise on the project, which also included adding loft insulation. The Ambion system was chosen because it is compatible with the existing solar generation system and offers central controls, providing tenants with full control over the heating.
Ambion Specfication
- Heating System: Ambion Low Carbon Heat Panel system.
- Building Archetype: 40-unit block over three floors.
- Control System: The infrared panels are centrally controlled by an Ambion control panel. Users have full control of the system by panel, room, or zone.
- Solar Compatibility: The system is compatible with solar PV, typically using 25% or more of the solar generation even without a battery.
Benefits
Tenant Satisfaction: Tenants reported feeling more comfortable and having an increased temperature in their homes. They found the Ambion system easier to control than the previous one.
Cost-Effectiveness: The average monthly running cost was £34.15, which was affordable and helped avoid fuel poverty. The system also uses solar energy, reducing grid energy consumption.
Improved Performance: The new system addressed the previous issues of inadequate heating and heaters blowing cold air. Operating data showed that the average actual temperature in the flats was , proving that thermal comfort was achieved.
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.