When the Unity Centre took over the Old Turkish Baths in Lewes, the building was nothing more than an empty Victorian-age shell. This presented a clean slate to work with when it came to choosing the heating system. We knew we wanted our business to produce low to zero carbon emissions, in keeping with our values for social wellbeing. To ensure that we would have the best technology for our purposes within the parameters of a low budget, we engaged Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo) to design a bespoke low carbon heating solution for the
building.
BHESCo are a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Sussex, who help people with homes and businesses to make their properties more financially and environmentally sustainable. After surveying the Turkish Bath site in great detail, in partnership with A Greener Alternative, BHESCo created a high quality, reliable heating system designed especially to meet the unique characteristics and requirements of the Unity Centre.
They suggested installing an air source heat pump, a highly efficient way to warm a building that works by absorbing heat from the outside air and transferring it under pressure to the inside of a building. For every unit of electricity used by the system, 3.8 units of heat is created. The heat is delivered to each room of the Unity Centre by an underfloor heating system, which can be adjusted to meet specific temperature needs for individual rooms and classes.
In addition to low carbon heating, BHESCo also installed an energy efficient lighting system which was designed specifically to provide an enriching and enlightening ambiance at the Unity Centre and a ventilation system appropriate for our relaxing Float Room.
All of this new equipment was installed at no upfront cost to the Unity Centre using BHESCo’s ‘Pay As You Save’ finance initiative. Together, we expect these energy saving measures to avoid carbon emissions at the Unity Centre by 68 tonnes over their lifetime, in addition to saving us £27,420 on energy bills.
Clean Energy for People Not for Profit
Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative Ltd
Old Steyne House
21-22 Old Steine
Brighton BN1 1EL
kayla@bhesco.co.uk
Telephone: 01273 284471
Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative Limited Society registered with the FCA in England no. IP32097R
By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and taking active steps to reduce our impact on the environment, despite the age of our building, we hope to show how achievable it is to make all buildings in the UK sustainable, whilst also meeting a high quality of comfort and aesthetics.