Improving the environmental efficiency of all our homes
Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association is committed to improving the environmental efficiency of all our new and existing homes.
As part of Rural Housing Week, the Rural Housing Alliance will be launching their refreshed pledge this week. One of their commitments is: to build to high environmental standards which help residents and communities reduce their carbon impact.
At Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association this is already a top priority.
All our new builds have renewable technology heating systems installed and are built to at least EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating C. And, we are upgrading inefficient and expensive heating systems with renewable technologies in all our existing properties over the next few years.
Why are we doing this?
As well as working towards the national net zero carbon ambition and tackling fuel poverty, we simply know what a massive difference efficient heating systems make to our residents’ lives and wellbeing.
We installed air source heat pumps in several homes in the village of Brafield on the Green in 2020. One resident told us how it’s improved their daily life:
"The change to an air source heat pump has been fantastic. I’m so glad I’ve had one installed.
"I couldn’t afford to have storage heaters on all over the house before. But with the new air source heating I don’t need to have it on full-blast and it feels lovely and warm all over the house.
"I’ve always got hot water now too, which is wonderful."
What is an ASHP?
Air source heat pumps are an energy efficient method of heating your home. The pump absorbs heat from the outside air to heat your home and hot water.
They do need electricity to run, but because they are extracting renewable heat from the environment, the heat output is greater than the electricity input.