Ecoliving partners Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to deliver CERT funding to RSLs.
Specialist renewable energy heating distributor, Glasgow based Ecoliving, has announced that it is seeking applications from RSLs looking for funding towards ground source heat pump installations.
Specialist renewable energy heating distributor, Glasgow based Ecoliving, has announced that it is seeking applications from RSLs looking for funding towards ground source heat pump installations.
CERT funding (CERT stands for ‘Carbon Emissions Reduction Target’) is an obligation on energy suppliers to achieve targets for promoting reductions in carbon emissions in the household sector. CERT runs from 2008 to 2011 with at least 40% of funding designated for priority groups which includes the over 70s.
Ground source heat pumps can help reduce the average annual household energy bill by around £700 whilst also reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking of the announcement, Ecoliving managing director, Mark Henderson, said, ‘We have been actively involved in the social housing sector for the last 4 years, promoting the adoption of heat pumps in the battle against fuel poverty and carbon reduction. We are delighted to be able to bring CERT funding through Scottish and Southern Energy to existing and new RSL partners. This is a significant boost to the adoption of tried and tested heat pump technology in social housing and will help to lift many households across Scotland out of fuel poverty.’
CERT funding can be used in support of ground source heat pump installations in a variety of domestic developments as part of heating upgrade programmes.
Accessing CERT funding from Ecoliving is straightforward. Project plans and heat loss calculations are assessed by Ecoliving design staff and then proposals developed that detail the most appropriate heat pump solution for each dwelling. Ecoliving offers this design and specification service free of charge as well as liaising with clients’ architects and technical staff.
When it comes to installation, Ecoliving has a network of approved installers and can also work with clients’ existing contractors, training and supporting installation teams through the process. RSL technical staff are offered training in heat pump operation and Ecoliving’s own technical engineers support installation teams. Ground source heat pump systems from Ecoliving are weather compensated and automatically maintain a constant indoor temperature.
Colin Kerr, Ecoliving’s sales director, advised on how the funding is to be allocated. He said, ‘All discussions on existing and planned projects are welcomed. In allocating the funding we will be looking to prioritise those projects ready for ground source heat pump installations within the next few months. We will also be looking to develop a picture of priority projects for the next financial year.’
Ecoliving was a preferred supplier on the Scottish Government’s Renewables Heating Pilot last year, managed by the Energy Saving Trust. Ground and air source heat pumps as well as biomass boilers were installed in over 50 homes in clusters across Scotland. Many of the systems have been monitored for efficiency with householders also providing feedback. Ecoliving is hoping that the data collected on running efficiencies of air source heat pumps will help lead to air source also becoming eligible for CERT funding.
CERT will deliver overall lifetime carbon dioxide savings of 154 MtCO2 – equivalent to annual net savings of 4.2MtCO2 by 2010, and equivalent to the emissions from 700,000 homes each year – and will stimulate about £2.8 billion of investment by energy suppliers in carbon reduction measures.
Ecoliving can be contacted on 0141 332 5684. www.ecolivinguk.com