Heating system cuts costs for Luncarty residents

Aug 13 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

RESIDENTS in Luncarty are being helped to cut their carbon footprint with a state-of-the-art heating scheme.

Fifteen homes in the village’s Marshall Crescent are set to feel the benefit of Perthshire Housing Association’s (PHA) latest attempt to reduce living costs.

PHA development director Alison Crook said the ‘air exhaust’ set-up provides hot water and continuous ventilation.

“Our challenge in areas such as Luncarty, where there is no gas supply, is to build energy-efficient homes heated by electricity,” she declared.

“We have installed air exhaust heat pumps. This works by extracting warm, moist air from the bathroom and kitchen, which is then compressed through the pump, raising the temperature.

“This then warms the water that flows through the heating system, with under-floor heating downstairs and radiators upstairs.

“The properties were also designed with high levels of insulation and air tightness, to reduce heat loss. This means they need less heating overall.”

PHA invested around £7000 to install ‘smart meters’ that enable householders to view real-time energy consumption and costs.

The homes took around a year to build at a total cost of almost £1.7million, with around £1m secured from the Scottish Government.

Marshall Crescent resident Claire Gordon declared: “When I first heard about the heating system, I have to admit it sounded a bit complicated.

“But I was relieved to find everything set up when I moved in, and I’m looking forward to seeing the difference it makes to the energy bills.”