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Press Cuttings - Building for a Future, Autumn 04 Housing association in Wiltshire leads way with solar air/water heating systemThis is a revolutionary solar air/water heating and ventilation system that can save up to 50% of heating and hot water requirements. It also increases air quality and can reduce mould and condensation. The system has been installed in six three-bedroom houses on the outskirts of Corsham in Wiltshire built for Westlea Housing Association. 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. On the six Corsham properties two solar panels were mounted on each of the roofs where the heat generated from the sun is captured and then circulated around the house using a ventilation system. 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. The system is monitored for effectiveness using a new energy-monitoring (NICM) package, which enables the housing association to monitor energy generation and the status of the system without having to enter the property. The project was funded by a social housing grant from North Wiltshire District Council and the Clear Skies scheme. The latter allowed Westlea Housing Association to reclaim 50% grant for the entire installation. The Sunwarm system has also been installed at a primary school in the village of Brynamman in Carmarthenshire. Here the National Assembly for Wares and the Energy Saving Trust helped fund the system, leaving the school to pay just £600. Advice was received from a community energy project, Awel Aman Tawe, an organisation that promotes and supports the development of sustainable community energy schemes in the Upper Aman and Swansea Valley area. [ Back to Index ] |