Two residential care homes benefit from low-carbon heating system

Residents at two care homes in Bath and North East Somerset are set to benefit from the latest technology thanks to Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding.

Our Salix team visited Combe Lea and Cleeve Court care homes, owned and operated by Bath and North East Somerset Council, to see the last works on the installation of green technology including air source heat pumps.

The pumps will be operating by Christmas at the residential care homes which have around 75 residents in total.

In January 2023, the council was awarded a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grant of £447,264 out of a total project value of £553,997.

The funds have been delivered by Salix through Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

By securing the funding, both Combe Lea and Cleeve Court care homes are estimated to have annual direct carbon savings of 106.45 tonnes CO2 and a massive reduction in costs.

The funding complimented the rooftop solar and LED lighting already installed at the care homes, as part of a separate programme.

The council adopted a ‘whole building’ approach, by installing the heat pumps in the latest work.

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency Cabinet Lead, Cllr Oli Henman, said: “The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grant has enabled us to install heat pumps and utilise the electricity generated by the rooftop solar panels - allowing us to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decarbonise our estate without increasing operation costs.

“The data and experience we get from these Salix projects provides the basis for wider decarbonisation of our estate.”

The funding, delivered by Salix has helped pay for one air source heat pump at Cleeve Court (Twerton) and two air source heat pumps at Combe Lea (Midsomer Norton).

Salix client support officer Caterina Bartelloni has been working closely with the Bath and North East Somerset team to achieve its objectives.

She said the Salix team was delighted to visit the site and to see the technology in place, almost ready to be fully used.

She added: “These technologies are amazing in how they can benefit residents, staff and help meet the council’s goals for decarbonisation.'

“Congratulations to the team at Bath and North East Somerset Council. We are proud to work with the council and support their net zero ambitions. They are a remarkable example of innovation and delivery, striving to reduce carbon emissions and make their buildings more energy efficient and comfortable.”

She said the passion and sense of pride from everyone involved in this project was felt throughout the visit. The home care staff also voiced their appreciation for the new technologies and the impact on the environment.

The vast knowledge on green technology offered by Mike Philpott, BSc CEng MCIBSE, was invaluable to the Salix team visiting the site.

He was able to offer insightful understanding on the direct impact in making the buildings more comfortable and efficient places to live in, work and visit.

Mike explained that due to the sensitivity of the home care environment temperature and lighting always need to be remain consistent at all times.

He said since the heat pumps start producing early in the morning, with some of the electricity getting spilled back to the grid, the idea is to make the buildings energy neutral during peak daylight hours.

An innovative approach has been employed by the use of the ‘green big boxes,’ as the staff liked to call them, which meant the heating system has been enclosed in a box. This means that any noise from the pumps is isolated.

And in an environment where sound can trigger acoustic epilepsy for residents, this is crucial.

Mike says this approach is both less intrusive and practical, as the alternative would have been to have a bespoke acoustic kit, which would have involved the covering of the heat pumps on each side.

Temporary systems are currently being used to generate hot water until the heat pumps are switched on. As soon as the heat pumps are switched on the two cylinders will be disconnected.

At the homes, the underfloor heating distribution systems will be retained and will be heated by the heat pump. Apart from routine maintenance items, the underfloor heating remains in good condition.

In addition, Mike added that replacing all LED lighting made a huge difference as some of the rooms were quite dim prior to the rooftop solar and LED installation.

And by choosing to use solar edge PV the council can operate the technologies remotely and discover in real time if each individual panel works properly through an app.

Salix are proud to be part of Bath and North East Somerset Council plan to decarbonise and help them achieve their 2030 net zero target.

Congratulations to Combe Lea and Cleeve Court care homes, we look forward to seeing what they do next.