A Bissoe-based engineering firm has successful completed the country’s most ambitious heat pump retrofit project for sheltered housing in Somerset.

Kensa Engineering, which manufactures ground source heat pumps from their old Mount Wellington Mine site in Bissoe, manufactured and managed the installation of over 200 heat pumps in 90 days.

The unique project was completed in partnership with Yarlington Housing Group, which received Renewable Heat Premium Payment funding from the government supplemented by Kensa’s ties with Scottish and Southern Energy.

In order to satisfy funding conditions the installations had to benefit the most vulnerable residents, which is why the programme was focused on sheltered bungalows.

Simon Lomax, Kensa’s managing director said: “We are delighted to have assembled the necessary financial support to allow Yarlington Housing Group to embark on this major programme.

“In addition to responding to the pleas of their tenants to provide lower cost heating, each heat pump will contribute a significant environmental benefit, reducing carbon emissions by around 60 per cent.”

The timely installation of the ground source heat pumps ahead of the winter’s coldest weather helped reduce residents’ energy bills.

By replacing night storage heaters, the ground source heat pumps provide all the heating and hot water needs by extracting naturally occurring heat stored in the garden using a 90m borehole.

Kensa modified the heat pumps to feature easy-to-use controls and they were also located outside in custom made weather-resistant enclosures to maximise space within the house, and ensure straightforward access for maintenance.