Residents of Fountain Court in New Malden are now enjoying the benefits of a cleaner, greener heating system following a major upgrade that replaces outdated gas boilers with an all-electric solution.
The council housing scheme for older people has been fitted with three heat pumps, supplying heating and hot water through a small district heat network. Additionally, 56 solar panels have been installed to generate renewable energy during daylight hours, helping to cut carbon emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Councillor Ian Manders, Kingston Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Planning Policy, welcomed the transition, highlighting its environmental and financial benefits. “It’s great to see another heat pump system like this up and running in Kingston. These green energy upgrades will save around 23 tonnes of climate-changing carbon emissions each year while also reducing energy bills and future-proofing the buildings,” he said.
The switch to electric heating aligns with government targets for low-carbon publicly owned buildings and forms part of Kingston Council’s wider commitment to tackling climate change. Any financial savings generated through the system will also support the council’s sustainability goals.
The electricity generated by the solar panels contributes to the communal power supply and can even feed surplus energy back into the National Grid, further promoting renewable energy use in the borough.
Kingston residents interested in adopting similar energy-efficient solutions in their homes can attend this year’s Efficient Homes Show or contact CREW Energy, which is offering half-price energy audits to local residents.
