Ground source heat pump retrofit cuts heating bills at Lullington Close, Manchester

Low-carbon heating upgrade for social housing flats

Wythenshawe Community Housing Group has partnered with Kensa to replace inefficient electric night storage heaters in 19 one-bedroom flats. We installed compact, energy-efficient Shoebox What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?Ground Source Heat Pumpsground source heat pumps in each flat. 

The project supports the social landlord's ambition to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and lower heating costs for residents.

Ground source heating installed with minimal disruption to homes

At Lullington Close, seven What are Ground Source Heat Pump Boreholes?Boreholesboreholes were drilled into the surrounding green spaces to extract renewable heat from the ground. We connected these to a shared pipework system supplying the networked heat pump system serving all 19 flats.

Inside each home, we installed a compactShoeboxProduct Kensa Shoebox Ground Source Heat Pump and a hot water cylinder in a cupboard. With all infrastructure located underground and equipment housed within the property, we completed the installation with minimal disruption to residents and no external visual impact.

This networked approach combines the efficiency and scalability of shared infrastructure with the simplicity and independence of individual home systems. It provides reliable, low-carbon heating and hot water without compromising space, noise levels or the appearance of the homes.

Lower heating bills and improved comfort through ground source heat pump retrofit

We designed the new system to use energy more efficiently, converting one unit of electricity into three units of heat. That means lower bills, warmer homes, and a heating system that residents can rely on.

In similar Kensa projects, residents have seen bills drop by 50% or more, significantly reducing costs for households previously at risk of fuel poverty.

Victoria Marsh, Project Manager at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, said:

Kensa delivers end-to-end design and installation of heat pump system

Kensa managed the entire project, from design to delivery. We handled everything, including the borehole drilling, underground pipework, and installation of the British-made Shoebox ground source heat pumps and hot water cylinders inside each home. 

By managing every retrofit stage, we ensured a smooth, coordinated delivery with minimal disruption. Each flat now has a reliable, low-carbon system that provides heating and hot water all year round, giving residents more control over their heating with quieter, more responsive systems.

Stuart Gadsden, Commercial Director at Kensa, said:

Pros of the long-lasting, future-ready heating for social homes

• High efficiency
  Kensa's ground source heat pumps deliver around 300% efficiency. They produce over three units of heat for every unit of electricity used. This means lower bills and more consistent warmth throughout the year for residents.
• Long-term performance
  Kensa designed each Shoebox heat pump to last between 20 and 25 years. We expect the underground pipework, which draws renewable heat from the ground, to perform for over 100 years, providing a stable, long-term solution.
• Scalable for housing providers
  This networked system is well-suited to social landlords looking to retrofit groups of homes. It can be adapted to different property types and delivered with minimal disruption.
• Supports sustainability goals
  By switching from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy, the system helps cut emissions and supports the UK's Net Zero targets. It also reduces reliance on volatile energy markets, offering greater security and affordability.

A replicable model for low-carbon heating in Social Housing

Lullington Close shows how a well-planned, well-executed heating upgrade can deliver long-term benefits. Kensa is working with housing providers across the UK to replicate this model. Get in touch to explore how we can help futureproof your housing stock.