Northern Ireland’s Rural Housing Association turns to geothermal to provide affordable energy in Randalstown

Nov 6

Combining affordability and sustainability

The Randalstown housing complex is making headlines across the island of Ireland, as well as the rest of Europe, for its use of geothermal to provide affordable energy to those in living in social housing.

This investment, commissioned by Rural Housing Association and implemented by Daly Renewables, had a dual goal in mind: affordability and sustainability. To offer low-cost heating and cooling to the complex’s nine apartments, a communal geothermal heat pump system was installed, extracting heat from the earth and distributing it to the different households.

“We are committed to making a positive impact on the environment by designing and building homes that not only meet the highest standards of comfort and style but also significantly reduce energy consumption, providing our tenants with healthier and more cost-effective homes.”

— Stephen Fisher, CEO of Rural Housing Association

The geothermal system is 300 to 400% more efficient than typical gas or oil boilers, resulting in reduced energy bills and saved carbon emissions.

“The benefits of this is that the system itself is about 300 to 400% more efficient than a typical gas or oil boiler. Typically it will have less maintenance than a boiler system. The technology has proven to be reliable, it’s efficient, it helps save on carbon as well.”

— Ryan Daly, Daly Renewables

A blueprint for Europe’s Affordable Housing Action Plan

As Europe’s housing sector faces important challenges impacting millions of people, geothermal can provide enhanced thermal comfort and energy efficiency while ensuring affordability.

Randalstown’s success story can be an inspiration for the upcoming Affordable Housing Action Plan, alleviating many Europeans’ struggles to afford a comfortable home while coping with energy prices.

“Last year, 47 million people had to choose between being hungry or freezing, and we need to change it! […] Some countries in Europe are only starting from scratch. To address the challenges of competitiveness, security and affordability, we need to plan the pathways ahead.”

— Commissioner Dan Jørgensen

An easy and low-cost solution

For the inhabitants of the Randalstown housing complex, the geothermal system is a complete success: it is easy to use and significantly reduces energy costs. According to one of the residents, Mr. Burns, energy bills were cut up to less than half of what they were:

“Before I moved in here, I was paying £20, £30, £40 a week for heating, whereas now it’s £15 a week. That’s your heating day and night, your hot water, your air conditioning and you’re making a saving every week, which adds up throughout the year.”

— Emmanuel Burns, resident