How these 100-year-old central London flats are proving heat pump sceptics wrong
The Association for Decentralised Energy
An Edwardian-era social housing estate in Chelsea, central London, is the latest ‘complex to decarbonise’ building to get the renewable heating treatment, successfully busting myths about whether heat pumps can work for old and existing buildings.
The Sutton Dwellings estate, built in 1913, has seen 81 flats across four blocks fitted with Kensa’s British-made ground source heat pumps, making these the oldest blocks of social housing flats in the UK so far to be heated using a networked heat pump solution.
This unique project is part of an extensive regeneration of the estate by housing provider Clarion Housing, which started in 2019. In this phase, each new, modern social home has received highly energy-efficient heating and hot water via its own compact ground source heat pump, that will keep energy bills low for residents while producing zero carbon emissions at the point of use.
Like traditional gas boilers, the heat pumps are small enough to be housed inside a cupboard in each flat. However, unlike gas, renewable heat energy used by the heat pump is sourced from the ground via the 27 boreholes drilled deep beneath the estate’s tight, urban footprint. This method ensures there’s no visible impact on the historic property’s traditional red-brick exterior and allows residents to fully enjoy the landscaped outside spaces around each block.
Installing networked heat pumps for Sutton Dwellings showcases one of the solutions to decarbonise existing buildings in the UK, 80% of which are expected to still be standing in 2050. It also busts commonly held myths about heat pumps, proving that:
Installing Kensa’s networked heat pump system marks the third age of heating for the historic flat blocks, which has transitioned from coal fireplaces to gas heating, and now renewable energy. It’s also an example of how history and modern solutions can work seamlessly in tandem, offering a pathway to retrofit the UK’s other ‘complex to decarbonise’ buildings and homes currently heated using fossil fuels.
Regenerating the 100+-year-old buildings highlights how heat decarbonisation solutions can work for the UK’s existing properties, potentially saving others from future demolition. It also follows other major social housing retrofit projects completed by Kensa, including the installation of Shoebox heat pumps in 273 flats across multiple 1960s tower blocks in Thurrock, and over 400 flats across eight tower blocks owned by Enfield Council.
Stuart Gadsden, Commercial Director at Kensa, said:
“Often you see claims heat pumps don’t work, they aren’t suitable for older buildings, there isn’t enough space to install ground source heat pumps in cities. This project is proof you can do all these and more!
“This was an ambitious project, but at Kensa, we’re always searching for the next innovation, the next solution that can improve people's lives and be the answer to decarbonising heat in the millions of UK buildings that need it. Hopefully, this project can serve as a blueprint for other social housing providers with properties that need decarbonising.
“While this can be seen as a great myth-busting project for renewable heating, particularly ground source heat pumps, the most important outcome will be the benefits felt by residents. With our systems they will be getting low cost, low carbon heating and hot water, allowing them to keep their whole homes warm.”
Paul Quinn, Director of Regeneration at Clarion Housing Group said:
“Kensa’s contribution to the regeneration of the historic Sutton Dwellings in Chelsea, one of the UK's first examples of social housing and an incredibly important site for Clarion, has been invaluable. We initially faced considerable challenges in realising our low-carbon, fossil fuel-free ambitions for these densely packed, heritage buildings, but Kensa’s ground source heat pump technology provided the ideal solution. They worked closely with the main contractor and residents to ensure a smooth process, with minimal disruption and their professionalism throughout was exceptional.”
John Bromley, Managing Director of Clean Energy & Climate Strategy (Private Markets), Legal & General:
“We see a huge opportunity in the global transition to a low carbon economy – particularly in private markets, where Legal & General invests in companies and infrastructure with significant growth potential in the medium to long term. Combining analysis of energy systems with infrastructure and property development expertise led to our equity investment in Kensa: to provide a high-efficiency, scalable heating and cooling solution for homes and businesses.
“I’m delighted to support Kensa as they successfully deploy this technology across varied and complex tenures and locations, including new developments and retrofits like Sutton Dwellings. Supporting the roll-out of reliable, efficient energy solutions is crucial to improving the standard of our built environment and occupier experiences whilst also decarbonising UK properties at scale.”