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Historic London flats bust heat pump myths as plans for UK’s biggest district heating network unveiled
A pioneering project in central London is challenging common misconceptions about heat pumps, demonstrating their viability in older buildings and dense urban areas. Meanwhile, plans have been unveiled to develop what would be the UK’s biggest heat network, supplying decarbonised heat to some 1,000 buildings across Westminster.Constructed in 1913, the Sutton Dwellings estate in Chelsea is the oldest social housing block in the UK to adopt a networked heat pump system. The retrofit, part of a broader regeneration project by Clarion Housing that began in 2019, aims to provide highly energy-efficient heating and hot water to modern social homes. A total of 81 flats now access a ground source heat pump from UK manufacturer Kensa.
The new system, designed to mimic the appearance and feel of traditional gas boilers, harnesses heat energy from the ground through 27 boreholes drilled deep below the estate. This setup preserves the estate’s historic red-brick exterior and allows residents to enjoy the landscaped surroundings without visual intrusions.
The company also reports the ground source heat pump systems are affordable, with annual heating costs ranging from approximately £300 for a one-bedroom flat to just over £700 for a four-bedroom flat.
Stuart Gadsden, Commercial Director at Kensa, emphasises the project’s broader implications: ‘Often you see claims heat pumps don’t work, they aren’t suitable for older buildings, there isn’t enough space to install ground source heat pumps in cities. This project is proof you can do all these and more… Hopefully, this project can serve as a blueprint for other social housing providers with properties that need decarbonising.’
The ambitious retrofit is part of a larger trend towards heat network development in the UK, including recently unveiled plans to create the UK’s largest heat network, supplying decarbonised heat to around 1,000 buildings in Westminster, including the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery.
Driven by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Westminster City Council, the £1bn South Westminster Area Network (SWAN) project will be developed by a joint venture between Hemiko and Vital Energi. It will harness waste heat from the River Thames, London Underground and local sewers to power hot water and central heating systems in the Westminster area.
The government plans to replicate such networks across the country, anticipating the need for £100bn in private investment and 290,000 new jobs by 2050.
Energy Consumers Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh comments: ‘Taking waste heat from the River Thames and London Underground to heat such iconic places as the Houses of Parliament and the National Portrait Gallery is a really exciting example of what lies ahead on our journey to low-cost, low-carbon heating. This project will help support hundreds of jobs and make bold new strides towards boosting our energy security.’
Toby Heysham, CEO of Hemiko, adds: ‘This network will be the flagship network in the UK, the first new zonal scale network in a market that offers an investment potential the size of the UK offshore wind industry. Steps like this show that the UK heat networks market is open for business.’
The UK’s largest heat network will supply decarbonised heat to around 1,000 buildings in Westminster, including the Houses of Parliament
Photo: Pixabay
