Bromford Housing - New Road, Solihull

Bromford is a leading housing association providing affordable homes to rent and buy in the Midlands and west of England.

Bromford was looking to procure and implement a sustainable and effective heating solution for one of its over-55s sheltered schemes located in Solihull. The scheme comprises 37 Edwardian flats and cottages – all of which were originally heated by expensive-to-run storage heaters, and difficult to maintain a suitable temperature due to a lack of space and tall ceilings.

Despite a gas supply being available nearby, the scheme is situated on a conservation area where heating options are limited due to external property modification restrictions. Following close collaboration between J Tomlinson, Bromford and Vaillant, the Vaillant 3 x 38Kw flexotherm ground source heat pump system was selected as the most suitable and affordable solution for Bromford and its residents alike. As part of the project, J Tomlinson was also required to fabricate and install a new energy centre on site.

Prior to project commencement, J Tomlinson and Vaillant held a joint open day on site at the scheme, giving residents the opportunity to see what their new heating system would look like and ask any questions about the upcoming works. Regular engagement with residents throughout the project ensured that the use of drilling rigs on site (and consequent phased closure of the car park area) did not create any issues. This also enabled trenching and header works to be carried out smoothly and to plan.

Close collaboration between J Tomlinson, Vaillant and Bromford was critical to success of the project, which required the creation of twenty-five 120m deep boreholes into the earth to support the ground source heat pump system.

Energy centre works

The new energy centre system allowed for off-site installation, helping to reduce engineers’ time on site. Furthermore, offsite fabrication of the Energy Centre helped to reduce costs and expedite the programme by an extra six weeks whilst minimising disruption to residents.

Remote connectivity to the Energy Centre allows J Tomlinson and Bromford full visibility of any potential faults, which can be accurately diagnosed prior to an engineer visiting site.

Project results

Bromford have set a target to bring all of its rented homes to a minimum EPC Rating of C. This system has future-proofed this and is also tacking fuel poverty by reducing tenants’ bills by 40%. It is also expected to save 131,900kg of carbon emission per year (the equivalent of planting approximately 289 trees).

As J Tomlinson is an MCS-accredited installer, Bromford will be able to generate additional revenue via RHI and ECO funding, equating to over £570K spread across 20 years.

The scheme won the Renewable Heat Project of the Year award at the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2019, with judges praising the project for its ‘excellent reduction in carbon emissions and bills within hard-to-treat properties’.

AWARD-WINNING PROJECT - the project won the Renewable Heat Project of the Year award at the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2019, with judges praising the its ‘excellent reduction in carbon emissions and bills within hard-to-treat properties’.

REDUCING FUEL POVERTY – the system is helping to tackle fuel poverty by reducing residents’ energy bills whilst providing an effective and sustainable heating solution within hard-to-treat properties

PROJECT FUNDING AND FUTURE INCOME – the project qualified for RHI and ECO funding due to its energy-efficiency benefits. As J Tomlinson is an MCS-accredited installer, Bromford will be able to generate additional revenue via RHI and ECO funding, equating to over £570K spread across 20 years

PROTECTING CONSERVATION AREAS - J Tomlinson was able to insulate and screen the energy centre with a view to preventing any noise or visual pollution within the conservation area. We also fully regenerated any disturbed areas through the planting of shrubs