E.ON's Sustainable Energy business has started work on a new carbon heating system to serve off the grid properties in Ceredigion, mid Wales.
In partnership with Tai Ceredigion Homes, the project will aim to save residents a total of nearly £4,000 annually and create a carbon saving of 67.44 tonnes, the equivalent of taking 35 cars off the road for a year.

The new heating system involves the installation of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) for 41 properties, with the first installations to be completed before the end of January 2011.

Alongside the GSHPs, E.ON will also instal wet radiator internal heating systems to 42 properties and 42 solar PV panels across Ceredigion.

This integrated approach, combining solar PV and heat pumps, ensures a renewable heat source, and sets a high standard in energy efficiency. Overall installation at the properties, which are in Ponterwyd and Pontrhydfendigaid is proposed to be completed by April 2011.

The project is part of a wider scheme managed by Tai Ceredigion Homes to provide low carbon heating to homes in the region. E.ON Sustainable Energy has already completed the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal systems to 15 social houses in Pontrhydygroes and is developing further proposals with Tai Ceredigion Homes to further extend the project.

Llyr Edwards, director of property services at Tai Ceredigion Homes, said: 'Our objective as the local not-for-profit housing association is to bring all of the 2,229 properties in Ceredigion up to the Welsh Quality Housing Standard. This low carbon heating project is a key part of a £40 m investment programme in the region and will bring much needed improvement to tenant's homes, as well as giving a boost to the economic future of communities within Ceredigion.'

Thomas Buss, head of microgeneration at E.ON Sustainable Energy, said: 'As these properties are off the gas mains, the majority are inefficient to heat and residents are currently relying on either coal fires or old storage heaters to stay warm. This new system will bring more affordable and sustainable heating to Ceredigion residents, bringing carbon emissions down by 57 per cent and, importantly for residents, saving approximately 30 per cent on annual energy bills.'