A revolutionary eco overhaul has transformed a Salford apartment block into what the developers believe is one of the most environmentally friendly high rise blocks in the UK.
Residents are now feeling the effects of a revolutionary solar-powered heating system, extra efficient insulation, double glazed windows and new kitchens and bathrooms.
The canal-side Engels block in Eccles, Salford, was the first to be completely transformed as part of the City West Housing Trust’s £14.3million Barton Village development.
The environmentally friendly makeover has had a dramatic effect on average CO2 emissions at Engels while it has also led to remarkable savings for Engels residents.
Each flat has shown a reduction in emissions of 2.1tonnes which adds up to a staggering 121.8 tonnes a year across the 58 one and two bedroom flats.
While residents are reporting savings of up to £500 on bills since they returned to the apartment block in March last year.
Brian Hughes, 51, had lived in Engels for almost five years prior to its makeover and used to spend £840 per year on energy bills.
This year Mr Hughes is on course to see his bill tumble to just over £320 per year – a saving of more than £500.
Mr Hughes said: “The savings have been remarkable really. The improvements to the block have made such a difference.
“I’ve been able to spend some of the money I’ve saved on new furniture, to keep the apartment looking good.”
Key to the savings is the revolutionary EcoPod heating system, developed by the Belfry Group based in Winwick, Warrington, which features six high efficiency boilers and solar panels on the roof of the building, supplying low cost heat and hot water to the residents below.
The EcoPod system allows each apartment to be fitted with a mini-city unit which only draws through hot water when needed, making the system very economical to use.
Colette McKune, Deputy Chief Executive at City West, said: “We are thrilled that the improvements at Engels are already delivering such dramatic benefits for our customers.
“Before the transformation of the block, many residents struggled to afford to heat their homes, and would often confine themselves to one room, which they tried to keep warm.”
The building now has its own management system which monitors energy use with each flat.
The system automatically alerts staff at City West, which owns and manages 14,600 homes in west Salford, when at risk-customers fail to adequately heat their homes.
Ms McKune added: “The investment programme means each apartment is now extremely cost-efficient to heat, tackling fuel poverty head-on.
“We are looking forward to repeating this successful formula across the remaining blocks at Barton Village, improving quality of life for hundreds more customers.”
Work on the second of four blocks, Enfield, providing sheltered accommodation for over 55s, was completed in January this year- the third stage of the project is due for completion by the end of the year.
By 2014 City West will have invested £235 million to improve homes as well as creating 250 new jobs, with almost two-thirds going to jobless people in west Salford who want a career in construction.
In addition contractors for the Engels project, which took 50 weeks to complete, employed four local trainees during the re-fit including a plumber, joiner, decorator and a multi-skiller.
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