Home Group Social Case Study
Customer: Home Group
Location: Newbrough, Northumberland
Application: Solar Thermal Drainback System
Number of Properties: 15
Property Types: Domestic Houses
Customer Background
Home Group is one of the leading providers of affordable housing, care and support, and is committed to creating thriving communities where people want to live and provide support to those who need it.
Why Solar Technology?
Home Group is committed to reducing environmental impact by changing their policies with their Sustainability by Managing Innovation, Lifestyle and Environment (SMILE) scheme. Home Group have the potential to improve the environmental behaviour of 130 000 people. Working in partnership with Eaga, Home Group are maximising opportunities to benefit their environmental objectives.
Installation Details
The majority of the properties were fitted with 2.75m2 flat plate solar collectors in a drainback solar thermal configuration. This system uses a tank to store the circulating fluid when the system is not in use. Whenever the system is not collecting solar radiation from the sun or the ambient temperature is very low, the solar circulation pump is switched off and the fluid drains back into the tank automatically. This method of control provides inherent protection from freezing and overheating and as an additional benefit the system does not require any anti-freeze or other chemicals. The drainback system also eliminates the requirement to have an annual service on the system because there is no anti-freeze to check and the system does not need to be repressurised.
Results
The solar thermal hot water systems have the potential significantly to reduce fuel bills by an estimated 60% of each household’s hot water per annum.
This case study in particular is representative of only a portion of the installations Eaga has provided for Home Group. Home Group and Eaga are both committed towards the same goals of increasing renewable and sustainable energy use, reducing carbon emissions and eliminating fuel poverty wherever possible.