EQUANS has been appointed by Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) to deliver an innovative low carbon heating project for 164 homes.

Centred on the Denton Park House and Hilltop House tower blocks in the West Denton area of Newcastle, the £3.8 milllion project will see the complete removal of the gas-powered central heating systems, and this will be replaced by Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP).

GSHPs work by drilling holes deep into the ground and harnessing natural heat from underground by pumping water through it in pipes. The heat pump then increases the temperature, and the heat is used to provide home heating or hot water.

The new low carbon technology will not only support decarbonisation efforts in the city, but the benefit to residents include lower energy bills thanks to the complete removal of the old gas system.

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Will Kay, Regional Managing Director at EQUANS, said: "Partnering with YHN to install Ground Source Heat Pumps at Denton & Hilltop is another example of our ability to deliver innovative net zero solutions which enhances the lives of residents, to provide warmer homes and reducing their energy bills.

"This is one of several projects we have in Newcastle and we’re pleased to be supporting the council’s town wide ambitions around decarbonisation by bringing our broad expertise to the table."

David Langhorne, YHN’s Assets and Development Director, said: "YHN manages around 26,000 properties for Newcastle City Council, so it is vital we play our part in reducing the city’s carbon footprint. We are committed to supporting the council’s ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and this project is one of several we're trialling across the stock we manage to assess which pilots will be most effective."

The work is being supported by partners Newcastle City Council, which secured £1.4m from the Government’s Renewal Heat Initiative to help fund the scheme.