Residents at one of the North East's most iconic high-rise estates took the opportunity to show the way to a greener future as senior officials from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) visited tower blocks in Newcastle's Riverside Dene.
The visit followed the recent switch-on of a groundbreaking green heating system, which was funded by a £1.7 million grant from the HCA's Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund.
The biomass district heating system, which works by burning sustainable wood pellets, is now connected to the three blocks, removing the need for expensive electric storage heaters in each flat and paving the way for lower fuel bills for residents. The system was developed for Newcastle City Council by Vital Energi.
Tenants in the renovated blocks have already seen a reduction in heating charges, with potential for further savings when a new metering system becomes operational early next year.
The project is part of a multi-million pound renewal of the former Cruddas Park estate, led by Newcastle City Council, which is transforming drafty and poorly insulated 1960s blocks for 21st century living. The green heating system, together with new Oriel windows and an external insulation render, aims to reduce carbon emissions by a dramatic 81%.
The Riverside Dene blocks, which are owned by Newcastle City Council and managed by Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), were renamed following a community vote in 2008, to emphasise the scale of the area's transformation.
Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association officially opened a brand new energy-efficient housing development of 12 amenity flats for older people in Paisley.
Built to an exceptionally high standard, energy efficiency and a reduction in CO2 emissions are top priorities. The development benefits from solar panels used to boost the hot water supply increased insulation to walls and floors and high performance double glazing units with controllable ventilation. This all helps to ensure a reduction to tenants' energy bills, as well as being less harmful to the environment.
The project cost of £1.752 million project cost was funded by a mix of private finance from Hanover and Government funding.
An evaluation study is being undertaken by Glasgow University to monitor CO2 emissions, humidity and temperature and the findings will help to inform the energy efficiency of future projects.
