Partnering with GTC to support the new build sector

Kensa has partnered with GTC, one of the UK’s leading utility providers, to bring low-carbon ground source heating to new housing developments. By combining Kensa’s networked heat pump technology with GTC’s infrastructure expertise, the partnership is delivering low carbon solutions for developers. These systems help reduce emissions, meet regulatory standards, and offer homeowners affordable, zero-emission heating from day one.

Delivering projects that make a difference
Kensa continues to work across the UK to install its networked heat pump systems in a wide range of settings—from large social housing schemes to individual private homes. Recent projects include estate-wide retrofits that tackle fuel poverty, neighbourhood-scale heat networks, and future-proof solutions for new build developments. Each installation is designed to cut carbon, lower bills, and help communities take control of their energy future.

Kensa also pioneered networked heat pumps technology – which enable more than one heat pump to be connected to a ground array, usually a borehole for multiple-occupancy dwellings. In practice, an array of boreholes will be drilled and connected via a shared ground loop to the heat pumps in multiple properties.

Drilling boreholes is a large portion of the installation cost for a ground source heat pump, so the networked heat pump solution s makes them more affordable, and also allow installation in tight spaces with less disruption.

One key advantage of the  networked heat pump s compared to traditional district heating is that no moving parts are needed underground – the pumping is done entirely by the individual heat pumps in people’s homes. Also, as the heat pumps generate heat at the point of use, the liquid being circulated in the pipes is at an ambient 5-10ᵒC, meaning there are no heat losses from distribution pipework around the building. These advantages keep running costs down, and increase reliability.

Kensa’s networked heat pump solution has been installed in over 215 social housing projects so far.

Delivering green skills and fighting fuel poverty

Where storage heaters have been replaced by heat pumps in social housing, heating costs have typically halved, reducing fuel poverty for those who were not in a position to make any changes to their heating system themselves.

Kensa employs resident liaison officers, who are trained to spot fuel poverty, help people understand the heat pumps, provide advice on energy efficiency measures that households can take, and signpost them to other services including checking they’re not missing out on benefits they’re entitled to.

A partnership with social housing provider Together Housing has brought Kensa’s technology to 1,200 homes – from bungalows to high-rise flats – in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Together aims to remove gas boilers from 30,000 properties over the next 10 to 15 years, and Kensa is expected to play a key role.

Patrick Berry, Director and Lead on Carbon Reduction for Together Housing Group, says: “The social housing sector has the potential to be a market-maker for the application of green technologies at scale in our homes. That investment will drive the growth in the green economy, particularly in a post pandemic world where new sustainable employment is required.”

Kensa employs 170 people, with in-house training for installers. Installers also receive free support to get accreditation from MCS, the UK’s standards body for low-carbon home electricity and heating. The company has also worked with colleges across the country, delivering courses and training teaching staff.