Gas CHP

Description
Heat and electricity produced in centralised plant serving a relatively large number of dwellings.

Unit cost of installation
£3,000 - £7,000 per dwelling. Installation cost per dwelling is normally higher than individual systems and is dependant on a range of factors. These include:

• the number of dwellings served by the installation
• the extent of the heat main (i.e. pipe-work from the central plant that distributes heat to the individual dwellings connected to the scheme)
• whether or not pre-payment and heat metering facilities are included
• the amount of equipment such as radiators etc. needed within the dwellings.

Despite the higher capital costs CHP can be an attractive option for landlords because CHP is particularly well suited to private financing, the landlord purchasing heat and power at an agreed price from a private sector company. The private company takes responsibility for the installations and operation of the central plant and distribution network.

Bulk cost of installation
See above.

Indicative energy cost and carbon emissions
Running costs from the tenant perspective will depend on a range of factors, but the costs for heat should be lower than those for individual gas central heating. There is also the possibility of cheaper electricity.

Technical suitability
Suitable as a retrofit measure to dwellings located close together (e.g. in tower blocks). A wide range of options are available for charging the tenants such as pre-payment using smart cards, including a fixed charge in rents and heat meters. Hot water can be provided via a conventional hot water cylinder or alternatively via compact plate heat exchanger removing the need for a hot water tank.

From the users perspective the system operates like a normal central heating system - the only difference is that the boiler is replaced by a consumer unit interface.

Non-technical constraints
No specific issues.

Potential concerns with fuel poor
No specific issues.

Ancillary benefits
Landlords do not need to enter dwelling to undertake gas safety checks.

Improved heating (coupled with insulation and ventilation measures) will reduce incidence of condensation and mould growth, thus decreasing maintenance costs for the building fabric and reducing damage (resulting from mould growth) to occupants' possessions. There may also be benefits to occupants' health.

As well as gas, a range of different fuels with clear environmental benefits can be used with CPH, including municipal waste, energy crops, wood waste and landfill gas.

Trigger points for work
Major refurbishment.

Technical Guidance Available
» CE13 Benefits of Best Practice: Community Heating
» CE55 Community heating - a guide
» Combined Heat and Power Association 020 7828 4077; www.chpa.co.uk