Social housing: net zero progress report - quarter 2 2024

Project Title: Hebridean 100

Project Organisation: Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP)

Technology Type(s): ASHP

Location(s): Multiple locations across Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - Isle of Barra, Isle of Benbecula, Isle of Lewis, Isle of North Uist, Isle of South Uist, Stornoway

Grant Value: £750,000

Completion Date: March 2024

Project Headline: Project involved installing 106 ASHP systems into homes across the Western Isles

Project Description:

Homes were selected due to surveys indicating 48% of Hebridean Housing Partnership’s tenants were in fuel poverty when utilising storage heating as their main heating source. The inefficient storage heating systems in 106 houses and flats were replaced with new ASHP systems, with system controls allowing tenants more control over their electricity use.

In HHP’s experience efficient storage heating systems have proven problematic, costly and have issues with affordability and controllability for tenants. ASHPs were identified as suitable heating systems as they provide affordable warmth to tenants as well as delivering environmental benefits through reduced carbon emissions.

Hebridean Housing Partnership have also simplified the installation and use of the ASHP systems to ensure tenants require minimal input when utilising the provided wireless controller to increase or decrease temperature at a given point in time with the system reverting to set temperatures at the end of each day. Each system control allows the tenant to see the exact amount of electricity used per year, per month and per week for both heating and hot water. This allows tenants to budget in advance which is beneficial for those on prepayment meters.

All installed ASHPs have been fitted with Wi-Fi adapters to allow for weekly, monthly and yearly monitoring of costs by the tenant and the association with consent. HHP have already installed over 1,000 ASHP systems with very high tenant satisfaction and continued this roll out with subsequent funding awards from the SHNZHF.