A HOUSING provider is digging deep to tap into underground heat to help tenants boost their eco-credentials and save money.
Ten households at Staverton, near Daventry, are having traditional oil-fuelled heating systems replaced by ground source heat pumps, as housing provider Daventry & District Housing helps tenants reduce household costs.
The homes at Braunstone Lane are amongst the first in the county to have the eco-friendly heating system fitted, which uses heat from 70 to 80 metres underground to heat homes and their water.
As well as being an environmentally friendly way of heating homes the system is also estimated to reduce energy costs by up to 60 per cent.
Martin Sherman, executive director of business development and asset management for Futures Housing Group, of which Daventry & District Housing is a part, explained: “We recognise the importance of using alternative energy sources in existing and future developments. We are looking for ways to help tenants save money as well as having a positive impact on the environment.
“This project is one of the first of its kind for Daventry & District Housing but we hope that this can be replicated to help more tenants reduce fuel costs.”
Tim Boswell MP for Daventry and Ian Vincent, executive director of Daventry District Council visited the site on Friday to see some of the bore holes being drilled to feed heat into the homes.
Tim Boswell MP said: “It was fascinating to see the drill working, it was like a miniature oil rig. Ground source heating is a wholesome way of getting energy out of the ground rather than digging it up and burning it.
“This is a modern form of heating to replace inefficient heating systems, which help people save a lot of fuel and reduce climate change.
“The rising cost of conventional energy is a real issue. If people are socially vulnerable we need to look at alternatives they can afford and something that is not damaging to the environment.”
Susan Ashley, one of the tenants to benefit from the new ground source heating, said: “We don’t know how much better off we are going to be until we start using it but it is estimated to save about 60 per cent of heating bills which will be good.
“It is going to be a lot cleaner than the oil heating system and I’ll be glad not have the smell from the oil. It’s good that we are one of the first villages to have ground source heating and we are looking forward to it being finished.”
