£6.8m Paisley plan for warmer homes and cheaper fuel bills
Nearly 500 homes in the Charleston area of Paisley are set to benefit from warmer homes and cheaper fuel bills thanks to a £6.8 million partnership scheme between Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Gas.
Under the £6.8 million scheme delivered through the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme, the existing district heating system will be replaced by a new, state-of-the art system powered by a biomass boiler, running on wood pellets.
As well as providing funding, Scottish Gas will install the system which will be more energy efficient than the former district heating system. In turn, residents will have greater control over heating their homes which will help reduce fuel bills.
More than 460 homes in Calside Court, Hamilton Court, Rowan Court and Union court high rise blocks and the seven maisonette blocks in Alice Street and Calside will be powered by the boiler.
All homes will have conventional radiators powered by the new communal boiler. The homes will be fitted with external insulation to improve their energy rating and keep more of the heat in as well.
Through these improvements and the district heating scheme’s installation, residents are expected to use up to 30% less heat. By switching from a gas district heating system to a new low carbon biomass fuel system, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by more than 90%.
Councillor Tommy Williams, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Housing and Community Safety Policy Board said, “This multi-million pound investment is excellent news for people living in the Charleston area. The district heating system is well past its sell by date and this new system will mean warmer homes and lower bills for nearly 500 families.
“They will also have much more control over their own heating. The new system and the external insulation have the added benefit of cutting the amount of greenhouses gases produced so the scheme helps the environment too.”
Ray Sanderson, Head of Commercial for Scottish Gas, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Renfrewshire Council to help make a real and positive difference to the community in Paisley.
“The scheme will bring benefits to hundreds of people throughout the area, giving them greater control of their energy needs. The funding from the Energy Companies Obligation is helping us to jointly deliver this project that will help people stay warm in their homes whilst keeping their bills down.
“The residents will start to see real improvements in months to come as we work together to invest in this large-scale project that will help tackle fuel poverty.”
Peter Campbell, Secretary of Charleston Tenants and residents’ Association, said, “Once the programme of work is completed it will make a real difference to the Charleston area.”
Meetings have been held with tenants to brief them about the proposals and a show flat has also been set up to let residents see how the new system will look in their homes.
Courtesy of Renfrewshire Council.