Client: Sovereign Housing
Location: South/South West
Description of Work: Heating Installation and Installation of Voltage Optimisation Units
Background:
Sovereign Housing Association is a property management company, with over 36,000 homes in the South and South West. It was established in 1980 when Newbury District Council (now West Berkshire Council) transferred its stock to a housing association. In 2005, Twynham Housing Association joined, followed by The Vale Housing Association in 2007 and, most recently, Kingfisher HVHS Housing Association in 2009. They are now one of the largest housing associations in the UK.
Scope:
Wessex Electricals were instructed for the heating installation contract with Sovereign, and began work on 88 properties in Chippenham, Wiltshire. The contract consisted of removing the existing air to air heat pumps and install new Dimplex quantum heaters throughout the 88 properties. We also upgraded the existing hot water cylinders for new Ariston/Tribune hot water systems. Furthermore, we fitted special energy monitors in each flat so the resident could understand their electricity usage, and make any changes to help lower their electricity usage.
Following the success of this contract, we were retained to install Voltage Optimisation units in over 150 homes as part of the Warmer Home scheme.
These VO units are an electrical energy saving device which aims to save between 8% and 15% on energy costs in homes, and are becoming increasingly more popular with Housing Associations. As with the heater contract we have also installed energy monitors alongside the VO units so the resident can monitor their energy usage.
