Insulation, Solar Panels, Heat Pumps and Wind Turbines From Mark Group

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing

January 2007

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Rochdale Boroughwide Housing is a not for profit company which is responsible for managing council homes on behalf of Rochdale Council.

The company manages around 14,500 properties and provides all the landlord services to these properties.

The Challenge

Work began with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing in early 2007 when Mark Group were commissioned to provide a £55,000 ‘green’ make-over, at Ravendale Close and Yew Court residential homes for the elderly.

Before the installation began, Mark Group were very keen to ensure that the residents of both Ravendale Close and Yew Court were happy with the project and aware of any changes or disruptions during the installation period. Our Group Product Manager arranged to visit the site and spoke to the residents explaining the technology and the installation process and to answer any questions they had.

Meetings were also arranged with the managers of the residential homes, to discuss where pipes would be fitted and again to ensure that the residents were safe and happy with the install process.

The Solution

The renewable technologies challenge required Mark Group to survey both residential homes in order to ascertain which products would be most suitable. On survey it was established that solar panels and a hot water system could be fitted on both blocks so that the solar energy could assist the central heating system, which is generally working for 10-11 months of the year. Energy savings from the solar hot water systems and new boilers are expected to reduce heating and water costs by around 50%.

The work was installed in agreed timescales and part of the costs were met through funding from the Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme, obtained with Mark Group’s assistance. This programme provides grants for micro-generation projects for householders, community organisations, schools, businesses and the public sector schemes such as the sheltered accommodation at Ravendale Close and Yew Court.

Mark Group installed 24 ‘Genersys 1000 -10’ solar panels on the residential homes which will heat a 440 litre cylinder supplying the laundry, kitchen, communal cloakrooms and the warden’s flat with hot water. When this cylinder is up to temperature, the output will be diverted to a plate heat exchanger installed in the return to the boilers. In this way, solar energy can be used to assist the central heating system, which is generally working for 10-11 months of the year.

Wendy Stewart, Technical Manager at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing the Arms Length Management Organisation for Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, said: "The Council is keen to introduce renewable energy as widely as possible in the Borough as part of its Carbon Management Action Plan. The installation of Solar Hot Water and Heating at these properties follows on from the success of a Photovoltaic Project at College Bank Estate."

Principal Consultant for the Works, Peter Williams of Landmark Energy, said: "We are very pleased with the work undertaken by the Mark Group who proved themselves a very capable, competent and caring installer. The solar hot water system and the new boilers should make a significant contribution in reducing the running costs of both sheltered housing projects."

Mark Group will shortly be installing flow metres and display panels at Ravendale Close and Yew Court so that performance can be monitored on a regular basis.

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