Stroud switching to heat pumps for three public buildings

The boilers in three large public buildings are being replaced by heat pumps by Stroud District Council.

The council has been successful in bidding for a £4.7million grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and will add £700,000 to the project for the pumps at Stratford Park Leisure Centre and the Museum in the Park in Stroud, and The Pulse leisure centre in Dursley.

Energy-saving measures including moving to 100% LED lighting and passive infra-red sensors, timeclocks, increasing the solar PV arrays, and introducing solar battery storage are being considered to help offset an increase in electricity consumption.

The buildings are expected to have to close for up to a month each but to minimise disruption, closures will be staggered, and quieter months aimed for.

Council Leader Catherine Braun said:

Our mission is to lead by example in the community, to help and encourage others to embrace renewable energy, and to make the changes now that are needed to equip our buildings for a low carbon future.

Community Services and Licensing Committee Chair Chris Brine added:

We are doing everything in our power through our services, projects and policies to work with partners to reach our carbon neutral goal for the district.

The work is expected to start in May this year and be finished in March next year.