We have just finished installing air source heat pumps into 33 1950s houses in the village of Dailly. The tenants are delighted with the improved comfort and lower costs compared with their old electric storage heaters. They are also delighted with the performance of the contractor, Coolheat.
We were pleased that Councillor Helen Moonie, South Ayrshire’s Provost, joined our tenants Mr and Mrs Hodges in celebrating the completion of the last installation.
The project was made possible by a £132,000 grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change. This was the result of our success in the UK wide Renewable Heat Premium Social Landlords Competition last year. The grant has covered roughly half the total cost of the installations.
We have also received a separate grant form the SFHA’s Energy Ideas Fund. This has helped to commission Edinburgh Napier University to carryout a year long evaluation of the installations. The study is intended to inform the development of other retrofit projects in older stock. It is being led by Professor John Currie of the University’s Scottish Energy Centre.
We are also planning to host a public event aimed at providing energy advice to all the residents of the village later in the year.