GTC and The Kensa Group have announced a major partnership to deliver a low-cost renewable heating and cooling solution for tens of thousands of new build homes a year.
The Networked Ground Source Heat Pump solution has been introduced by the UK’s largest installer and operator of last mile multi-utility networks and the UK’s leading manufacturer and installer of ground source heat pumps, which will offer a clean alternative to gas and help developers comply with the incoming Future Homes Standard that will require all new homes to have low-carbon heating.
The solution provides reliable home heating and hot water through a ground source heat pump installed in each property, connected to a shared network of hidden underground pipework, similar to what is installed for other utilities.
Kensa’s compact ‘Shoebox’ heat pump will fit under the water cylinder inside the home, saving space and eliminating the need for any external kit, so there’s no visual impact on the property. With up to five times the efficiency of gas and a 30% increased efficiency than an equivalent air source heat pump, the ground source heat pumps require no extra electricity capacity, easing developer concerns about site grid capacity.
The GTC and Kensa partnership will bring significant scale, funding, and technical skill to the deployment of networked ground source heat pumps for the new build market – delivering a complete end-to-end heating, hot water, and cooling solution for housebuilders.
Through the agreement, GTC will provide the funded solution to housing developers, along with the design, borehole drilling, and network installation, which can be implemented alongside the other utility networks.
GTC executive chairman, Clive Linsdell, said: “A big challenge housebuilders face is additional grid capacity for low-carbon technologies. This partnership brings an end-to-end heat, hot water, and cooling solution with the same power requirements as gas-heated homes. Our working with Kensa provides housebuilders and developers reassurance around the quality of installation and equipment, and homeowners 100% peace of mind in relation to its ongoing operation and maintenance.”
Kensa Group CEO, Tamsin Lishman, said: “We are delighted to partner with GTC to bring this leading heating and cooling solution to the UK’s housebuilders. Using the heat from the ground beneath our feet, boosted by Kensa’s small and highly efficient ground source heat pumps, homeowners will enjoy comfort and warmth, at low costs. We’ve been delivering this proven solution at scale for over a decade, providing reliable home heating to thousands of UK homes, and by working with GTC, we look forward to delivering a successful transition to electrified heating.”
