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Kent Housing Association Installs Solar Hot Water/Heating and Ventilation System Westerham, a large village near Sevenoaks in West Kent is leading the way in the South East with solar heating and ventilation technology. A new development of four three-bed roomed houses from West Kent Housing Association has had pioneering solar hot water/heating and ventilation systems, SUNWARM installed.This project of six houses in total, is a pilot scheme to trial the effectiveness of the SUNWARM System from Nuaire. West Kent Housing Association is keen to develop their use of echo technology and holds a history of involvement in related projects. Upon hearing about the Sunwarm System from their local Nuaire Sales Representative, they set about installing it in a suitable project. SUNWARM from Nuaire is a single system that provides home heating/cooling, ventilation and hot water, by harnessing the sun’s energy. At the heart of the system there is a ventilation network and a set of solar panels. The system was fitted by specialist renewable energy installers Cel-F Solar Systems of Kemsing Kent, who mounted two solar panels on the roof of each of the properties where the heat generated from the sun is captured, and then circulated around the house using a ventilation system. In order to fully utilise the energy to the maximum; when this heating is not needed in the home, it is diverted automatically to the hot water system storage tank, whilst simultaneously ventilating and cooling the home with air taken directly from outside. It has been estimated that each household would save around 4300kWh of energy per year, reducing fuel bills by £500 per annum. “Reducing living costs for our residents is high up on our agenda.” Said Jeanette Nye, Project Manager at West Kent Housing Association. “The houses within the development are ideal for families who are wanting to achieve lower living costs and a healthier home environment.“ With product accreditation by the Clear Skies Initiative for the SUNWARM System, West Kent was able to get a 50 per cent grant for the purchase and installation in Westerham. John Bradley, Director of the Nuaire Group says: “Incentives to encourage Housing Associations to adopt this type of technology are on the increase, with government grants available through the Clear Skies Initiatives or the Scottish Renewable Energy Fund, and imminent legislation from the government relating to reducing energy consumption within homes, means that the time to adopt this technology in new developments has never been better.” Additional benefits that have driven the adoption of the SUNWARM System by Housing Associations and house builders alike, include the health benefits association with ventilation - helping deal with both indoor pollutants such as cigarette smoke, dust mite deposits and carbon monoxide, through to external pollutants such as pollens, traffic fumes and noise. Furthermore, it also eliminates condensation dampness in properties. [ Back to Index ] |