Sureserve Compliance Central, a major provider of heating services to the social housing sector, recently fitted its 1,000th Vaillant heat pump, setting an impressive installation milestone in a sector striving to transform to a more energy efficient and sustainable housing stock.
With pressure on local authorities and social housing providers to improve the energy efficiency performance of properties so that they meet the EPC Band C or above by the end of the decade, many have turned to renewable heating technologies such as heat pumps to drive decarbonisation ambitions. Sureserve, which partners with housing associations and local authorities across the country, specifies and installs low carbon heating solutions, alongside other energy services, is utilising Vaillant’s low carbon heating technology solutions to help reduce housing providers’ reliance on fossil fuels and lower overall carbon emissions. A combination of Vaillant’s aroTHERM plus air source heat pump, along with sensoCOMFORT controls, sits at the heart of the installation success.
“As old gas boilers come to the end of their working lives, heat pumps are a natural and proven alternative technology when upgrading the heating system in properties,” says Jon Posey, technical director at Sureserve Compliance Central. “They are suitable for a wide variety of settings and we have retrofitted within flats as well as larger 4-bedroom homes.”
As an example of potential savings for end users, one district council’s tenants are seeing tangible savings on their heating bills – with some paying just £40 a month in winter. And during the warmer periods of summer, this falls to just £10 per month for hot water needs only.
Sureserve believes in placing resident engagement at the heart of every project, ensuring tenants feel supported, confident, and informed throughout the transition to low-carbon heating.
Jon continues: “As we move to technologies like heat pumps, it’s vital we support households through the change, to make sure they feel comfortable with what (for many) is a new way of heating their home. Before we commence any project, we work with Vaillant to ensure a working model of the heat pump is brought to site. This means the residents can see and hear a heat pump in action – often for the first time. Our experts are available to answer any questions or concerns from residents, and we work hard to alleviate any worries before we start. Education of this type is essential to gain acceptance and tackle any previously held views around issues such as heat pump noise and ease of use.”
Customer information brochures are provided to all affected residents. The communication covers how the air source heat pump works, how they are controlled, what to expect during and after the installation phase, as well as useful contacts for future reference.
As Jon comments: “Changing mindsets around renewable technologies and promoting the benefits is important if we are to ensure the housing-related decarbonisation journey is successful. We work hard to ensure this is the case on the projects we manage for local authorities and social housing providers, investing time and resources to work with residents. Following completion of the installation, we also visit each tenant to make sure they are happy with the new heating system and how to control it to suit their needs. For instance, with an air source heat pump, we explain that the system is consistently running for best efficiency, whereas a boiler could tolerate the on/off usage many people are so used to.”
The Vaillant package
The backup on offer from Vaillant and the support they have received to date has played a key part in enabling the company to reach the 1,000-heat pump installation landmark.
Jon continues: “From a quality-designed product through to aftersales and ongoing support, we feel confident about partnering with Vaillant. Working with a variety of councils and housing associations means meeting their expectations around important initiatives such as improving their housing stock.
“By using Vaillant, we know that we are specifying and installing a quality manufactured and well-designed solution, which will perform to the highest standards. When it comes to supporting our relationship with our clients, that supplier reassurance is strategically important to us.
Such has been the success of the partnership that Sureserve has invested significantly in workforce development, including a dedicated training room equipped with Vaillant products.
Jon says: “It is vital that our workforce feels comfortable about the products we are asking them to install. Vaillant’s expert training support and facilities such as the training room, are great in ensuring they always feel up to date and can optimise the installation efficiencies we want to achieve.”
For further information on Vaillant’s support options, visit www.vaillant.co.uk
