Partnering to improve heating in 50 Shropshire homes
50 homes benefit from Connexus partnerships
Connexus is working alongside local partners to install 50 properties, in Prees, Higher Heath and Tilstock, with state-of-the-art air source heating systems. Work is due to begin in the coming weeks and customers will be able to put their feet up and enjoy the cosiness of their new heating by the end of June, in time to reap the benefits come winter.
These 50 homes (all off the gas grid), currently rely on outdated oil, solid fuel and storage heating systems which are notoriously difficult to manage, cause fuel poverty through lump sum payment schemes and don’t support a more efficient, environmentally friendly approach to heating.
So how do these new systems work? The new air source heating systems work by absorbing heat from the outside air which is then transferred into heat to heat radiators and water cylinders so you have warm radiators and warm running water. This way of heating homes is more reliable and will provide heating at lower temperatures for longer periods of time, ideal over colder months. Using renewable energy will now also be an option which is much better for the environment.
The installation and programme of work is able to take place through a partnership between Shropshire Council, Communitas Energy CIC and Marches Energy Agency.
Richard Woolley, CEO of Connexus Homes Limited said “It's great that we’re able to support customers in this way. Not only will the new systems be easier to use but also addresses longstanding issues that have been causing frustrations. For us, it further demonstrates the benefits of partnership working to achieve great things”
Richard went onto state; “We’ve got a vast partnership working programme underway and it’s such an important part of life at Connexus”, he continued, “Through successful partnerships with great organisations and working with local government we’re ultimately able to expand our service offering to customers – which is great”.
Richard ended by saying;
“As part of our own ongoing commitment to improving homes and reducing our carbon footprint, Connexus is committing to spend £14.2 million over the next 12 months doing just that”.
Connexus will be supporting customers with guidance on how to get the best out of their new heating systems and will be contacting other customers in Shropshire and Herefordshire in due course about upgrades as part of this wider programme of improvements.