Ahead of London Climate Action Week 2019, Enfield Council has been awarded Council of the Year in the hotly contested Greater London Energy Efficiency Awards.
This recognises the work that has been done to help homeowners reduce their energy bills, tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.
In its submission, the Sustainability team at Enfield Council highlighted the work that has been conducted over the last five years to develop a fuel poverty strategy through a variety of projects.
While traditional affordable warmth schemes - such as boiler replacements, cavity and roof insulation and behaviour change advice – have been important in helping address the poverty imbalance, Enfield Council has sharpened its focus to include renewable heating which has a positive impact on both the environment and wellbeing of residents. The Council has installed ground source heat pumps in eight tower blocks featuring 400 ground source heat pumps with contractors Kensa Contracting.
Now, every tenant in these flats has their own heating and hot water controls, and they only pay for the heat they actually use via their electricity bills. As the heat pumps are incredibly efficient, the heating and hot water costs for each tenant are now around £350-£400 per year (down from around £1,100 per year) representing a massive saving and making a significant difference to tenants’ finances.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Guney Dogan, said: “I would like to convey my huge congratulations to the Housing and Sustainability team. The most important achievement is that we are lifting people out of fuel poverty, seeing tangible benefits for individuals, families and of course the wider environment.”
To mark London Climate Action Week, Enfield Council will be hosting an event showcasing its innovative heating infrastructure. Tours will be available for local authorities, housing associations and other policy makers around the borough. Enfield Council, Kensa and the Council’s fully owned energy company Energetik will be on hand with demonstrations and talks. Register your interest here.