A ‘Renewable Heat Incentive’ (RHI) Funded Heat Pump Solutions full-day workshop co-hosted by MyGreenHeating Finance and Kensa Heat Pumps and organised by Glen King PR/Marketing, was held recently at The Buckerell Lodge Hotel in Exeter.

The theme of the workshop was the introduction of renewable heating in off gas areas to reduce tenant fuel bills and lower carbon emissions in social housing stock. The event attracted more than 50 delegates from across the South West, and beyond, including Social Housing Associations, architects and leading members of the construction industry.

David Greensmith, director of the Carbon Savings Alliance (CSA) acted as Master of Ceremonies and the welcome address was given by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor, chair of the National Housing Federation. A number of industry sector experts gave presentations throughout the day followed by question and answer sessions.

Darren Mawhinney co-host and commercial director of MyGreenHeating (MGH) Finance talked about the MGH funded air source heat pump heating solution. He said: 'We face a unique chance to lift people out of fuel poverty using the Renewable Heat Incentive. When combined with Heating Finance’s flexible financing model, 7 year warranty and 3 star / 24 hour response service it has never been more attractive for PRPs to provide comfortable, affordable and renewable heat to their most vulnerable tenants.'

This was followed by an overview from Stephen Purser, chair Teign Housing and a case study by Tony Sharland, head of Asset Management and Development at Teign Housing. The project created by Teign Housing was to install renewable heating to its homes, using the funded option provided by MyGreenHeating Finance.

Co-host Chris Davis, commercial director of Kensa Heat Pumps, talked about funded ground source heat pump (GSHP) solutions offered by the company. He said: 'The increasing focus on the UK’s high levels of fuel poverty highlights a growing need to reduce heating bills. Ultra-efficient ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) provide the most economic heating with costs even lower than a mains gas-condensing boiler.

'As demonstrated by our recent project with Trent & Dove Housing, ground source heat pumps halve many tenants’ heating costs and appeal to landlords too as the systems are remarkably reliable and durable.' (see Features)

A case study from Steve Grocock, director of Property Services at Trent & Dove Housing, a client of Kensa Heat Pumps, gave an overview of the success of their recently completed ground source heat pump retrofit project.

Harriet Arscott, policy & regulations manager from Ofgem Domestic RHI gave a keynote presentation. Harriet together with David Greensmith, director of CSA and Alastair Mumford of Regen SW, were members of the ‘Ask the Panel’ and gave feedback on behalf of policies from the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). The event included a two-course lunch and breakout networking sessions, as well as exhibition space by partners, Regen SW, CSA and Low Carbon Exchange.