WilSon Energy, a leading provider of fully integrated heating, metering, pre-payment and billing and bureau services, has completed a full refurbishment of the heat network and energy management system at Nova House, in Slough, Berkshire.

Nova House is a residential, multi-tenanted, six storey building owned by Slough Borough Council. It was originally built as an office block in the 1980s and was converted into 68 residential apartments in 2015, with the council taking over the lease in 2018 due to safety concerns over the building’s cladding.

The heat network and multiple heat interface units (HIUs) had fallen into a state of disrepair, causing issues with energy efficiency and domestic water supply.  The existing metering system was also fraught with problems, with many meters no longer reading data and the automated system was out of action, which meant no readings for energy consumption and inaccurate bills for residents.

WilSon Energy was commissioned by property management company, Red Rock Estate & Property Management to complete a major overhaul of the metering system and replace a selection of poorly maintained HIUs.

Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy, said: “This is a classic example of a project where there’s been a non-existent maintenance regime in relation to the HIUs, which are poorly performing and potentially costing residents more. By installing WilSon’s recently launched, energy efficient HIUs we’ve improved efficiency, maintenance and energy management. The new HIUs have two-way communication and report back operating parameters more than any other product on the market, plus settings can also be adjusted remotely.

A site inspection by WilSon engineers revealed that in addition to the failing meters, there were multiple faulty HIUs where leaks were causing corrosion to internal and external parts of HIU. Existing pipework included a mix of plastic pipe, fittings with compression and push fit connections, causing some residents to have continual issues with their heating and hot water supplies. They were also subject to onerous and incorrect billing.

In each affected home, WilSon’s installation team isolated, disconnected and removed washing machines or other items from below the HIU, which were located in within kitchen utility cupboards. The existing HIUs were drained down and removed, along with all the debris from the floor and surrounding area.

The installing engineers cut out the existing plastic pipework and various push fit/compression connections and valves. Having been advised by the block Fire Marshall advised against using hot works within the building, they re-ran copper pipework with compression and press fit fittings. They also installed new internal mains stopcock and altered incoming primary pipework to HIU, insulated the rest of pipework, then filled and vented.

Once the new, efficient HIUs were in place, Wilson engineers installed Axioma in-line ultrasonic heat energy meters to all properties, with an automated open protocol system. The new metering system provides accurate meter readings and energy consumption data, allowing exact and timely billing for residents and cost savings. WilSon is also delivering a one-year rolling credit billing service contract for the property management company.

Andy Wilkinson continues: “By installing new meters in all properties which have an automatic meter reading system residents can now expect timely, accurate and transparent billing. The property management company can access accurate energy usage data for each property. Also, through our billing and bureau service, we can reduce administration and complaints, help source lower energy costs and ensure compliance with the Heat Trust’s metering and billing regulations.”

 

For more information about WilSon Energy’s integrated heating, metering, pre-payment and billing and bureau services, visit www.wilsonenergy.co.uk.