HOMES in Oxford are trialling a system which drives down bills, whilst also being more friendly to the environment.
The project aims to demonstrate how ground source heat pumps with smart heating controls can reduce heating costs for residents.
56 homes in Blackbird Leys will act as guinea pigs for the trial, after housing provider Stonewater partnered with ground source heat pump manufacturer and supplier, Kensa Contracting.
The homes have been installed with Kensa ‘Shoebox’ ground source heat pumps, which will combine with smart controls and a time-of-use tariff.
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The pilot scheme, under the Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO) project, aims to be rolled out to 300 homes in and around Oxford over the next two years.
Despite delays as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Kensa is still expecting to complete the installations across the homes before winter.
Leon Storer, assistant director of capital investment at Stonewater, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this innovative and forward-thinking project, supporting the local authority in achieving a net zero carbon future.
“By replacing our residents’ current high carbon night storage heaters with Kensa’s ground source heat pump systems, we’re able to not only work towards a more sustainable future, but an economical one too.
“This is because a benefit of transitioning to this type of heat pump system is the significant cost savings it provides for residents.”
The heat pump installations are part of a world-first project, showcasing an integrated approach to reducing carbon power, heat and transport across Oxford.
The project is being supported by the ESO, which includes Oxford City Council and the University of Oxford as its partners.
The ESO aims to demonstrate how ground source heat pumps with smart controls can help balance the electricity grid as part of an united local energy solution, that also includes grid connected batteries and smart electric vehicle charging.
The ESO aims to eliminate 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year by 2021, the equivalent of taking 2,000 cars off the road.
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Oxford-based Habitat Energy, in addition to Pivot Power and Invinity Energy Systems are all also consortium partners at ESO.
Dr Matthew Trewhella, managing director of Kensa, said: “Kensa is delighted to partner with Stonewater for the first phase in this 300 home pilot ground source heat pump project.
“The residents will benefit from clean, renewable heat with savings of up to 25 per cent compared to a standard ground source heating system.
“Smart meters enable residents to switch to Octopus’ unique agile tariff, which varies the electricity price every half hour and optimises energy use when renewable power is prevalent on the grid, and together with Switchee internet connected smart heating controls will automatically run residents’ heating systems at the lowest cost times.”
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