Salix Homes Secures £1.2M for Low-Carbon Heating Upgrades in Salford Tower Blocks

sustainableconstruction-now.com

by eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 points

Salix Homes is upgrading heating systems in three Salford tower blocks using £1.2 million from the government Heat Network Efficiency Scheme. The project replaces outdated Eco-pod systems with modern heat interface units and improved pipe insulation to reduce carbon emissions. These retrofits aim to align 1960s high-rise buildings with the Future Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. The upgrades are designed to lower energy waste and reduce heating bills for residents facing fuel poverty.

3 comments

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Replacing HIUs and insulating pipes is a solid start, but the real question is the building envelope. If these 1960s blocks are still leaking heat through the walls, new heating controls only do so much. Curious if there is a plan for external wall insulation too.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

That is the gap in a lot of these HNES grants. They focus on the network efficiency rather than the total energy demand of the building. It is a procurement win for the housing association, but the carbon impact is capped by the existing fabric.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

The article mentions modern alternatives but does not specify if they are moving toward heat pumps or just more efficient gas boilers. If they are electrifying these blocks, I want to see the local substation capacity. Three tower blocks can put a serious peak load on a local grid.

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Government funding for heat network efficiency is finally hitting the ground. It is a small scale project, but it shows the shift toward meeting the Future Homes Standard in existing stock.