The Sutton Dwellings estate, a pre-first World War social housing estate in Chelsea, has embraced modern low-carbon heating with the installation of British-made ground source heat pumps in 81 flats across four blocks.
Built in 1913, the estate is now the oldest block of flats in the UK to benefit from Kensa’s networked heat pump system. This project, part of Clarion Housing Group’s extensive regeneration plans for the estate, demonstrates how historic properties can transition to sustainable energy while preserving their heritage.
The installation includes compact ground source heat pumps located inside each flat, similar in size to traditional gas boilers.
Renewable heat energy is drawn from 27 boreholes drilled beneath the estate, ensuring the property’s historic red-brick exterior remains untouched.
The project is expected to deliver low-cost, renewable heating and hot water, with annual heating costs estimated at just £300 for a one-bedroom flat and around £700 for a four-bedroom flat.
Proving heat pump viability in historic and urban settings
This innovative retrofit highlights the compatibility of heat pumps with older and densely populated urban properties. The installation dispels several myths about heat pumps:
- Adaptability: Ground source heat pumps can be tailored to almost any property type, including older and space-constrained buildings.
- Perfect for flats: Compact systems, like Kensa’s Shoebox, fit easily inside flats, making them ideal for multi-unit dwellings.
- Urban suitability: Even dense city environments can host networked heat pump systems.
- Preserving heritage: Heat pumps can be installed without altering a building’s historical architecture.
- Cost-effectiveness: Affordable running costs make heat pumps accessible to residents.
This marks the third heating evolution for Sutton Dwellings, which previously transitioned from coal to gas before adopting renewable heat technology. It also sets a precedent for decarbonising other “complex to retrofit” buildings, many of which will remain in use beyond 2050.
A collaborative approach to net zero
The project exemplifies collaboration between Kensa, Clarion Housing, and Legal & General, who supported the rollout of renewable energy solutions.
Stuart Gadsden, commercial director at Kensa, said:“Often you see claims heat pumps don’t work, they aren’t suitable for older buildings, there isn’t enough space to install ground source heat pumps in cities. This project is proof you can do all these and more!
“This was an ambitious project, but at Kensa, we’re always searching for the next innovation, the next solution that can improve people’s lives and be the answer to decarbonising heat in the millions of UK buildings that need it.
“Hopefully, this project can serve as a blueprint for other social housing providers with properties that need decarbonising.
“While this can be seen as a great myth-busting project for renewable heating, particularly ground source heat pumps, the most important outcome will be the benefits felt by residents.
With our systems they will be getting low cost, low carbon heating and hot water, allowing them to keep their whole homes warm.”
Paul Quinn, director of regeneration at Clarion Housing Group, added:“Kensa’s contribution to the regeneration of the historic Sutton Dwellings in Chelsea, one of the UK’s first examples of social housing and an incredibly important site for Clarion, has been invaluable.
“We initially faced considerable challenges in realising our low-carbon, fossil fuel-free ambitions for these densely packed, heritage buildings, but Kensa’s ground source heat pump technology provided the ideal solution.
Scalable heating
“They worked closely with the main contractor and residents to ensure a smooth process, with minimal disruption and their professionalism throughout was exceptional.”
John Bromley, managing director of clean energy & climate strategy (private markets) at Legal & General, said: “We see a huge opportunity in the global transition to a low carbon economy – particularly in private markets, where Legal & General invests in companies and infrastructure with significant growth potential in the medium to long term.
“Combining analysis of energy systems with infrastructure and property development expertise led to our equity investment in Kensa: to provide a high-efficiency, scalable heating and cooling solution for homes and businesses.
“I’m delighted to support Kensa as they successfully deploy this technology across varied and complex tenures and locations, including new developments and retrofits like Sutton Dwellings.
“Supporting the roll-out of reliable, efficient energy solutions is crucial to improving the standard of our built environment and occupier experiences whilst also decarbonising UK properties at scale.”
Paving the way for future retrofits
This installation is part of a larger movement to decarbonise existing buildings in the UK, 80% of which will still be in use in 2050. Sutton Dwellings demonstrates that historic buildings and modern solutions can work hand in hand, preserving architectural heritage while enabling the transition to net zero.
It follows other successful social housing retrofit projects completed by Kensa, including the installation of Shoebox heat pumps in 273 flats across multiple 1960s tower blocks in Thurrock, and over 400 flats across eight tower blocks owned by Enfield Council.
By proving that older buildings can embrace renewable heating without compromise, the Sutton Dwellings project offers a pathway for decarbonising the UK’s urban housing stock and saving historic buildings from future demolition.
Image: Kensa