In line with Waverley Borough Council’s commitment to cutting back its carbon emissions and supporting the move towards net-zero carbon by 2030, work has finished on the installation of a new Air Source Heat Pump and Solar Energy system at Memorial Hall, Farnham.
The hall, which is home to The Brightwell’s Gostrey Centre, and Waverley Training Services, has been fitted with a new Air Source Heat Pump to provide heating and a PV array to supply electricity.
This aims to reduce carbon emissions by 40% and forms part of the council’s move to harness solar energy in strategic locations.
Councillor Steve Williams, Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
“As a council working hard to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030, it is important to cut back on our own carbon emissions; the new heating and electricity system at Memorial Hall is another step forward towards more sustainable energy and achieving greater energy efficiency for our buildings. Not only will it improve Memorial Hall’s energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint but will set the trend for other buildings across Waverley.”
Waverley Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commerce and Assets, Councillor Mark Merryweather, added:
"The costs of carbon-based energy go way beyond even the inflating prices we’re all seeing in our energy bills. Decarbonising our buildings makes economic sense by reducing our bills, increasing our security and creating broader value for our residents.”
The council has already set to work on cutting back its carbon emissions and supporting the move towards a net-zero carbon borough by 2030. It has allocated £300,000 to launch action on the climate emergency and is now building zero-carbon homes, developing plans to retrofit council homes to make them more energy efficient as well as making Waverley buildings more sustainable. The council is also supporting community energy hubs, promoting walking and cycling and sustainable transport as well as harnessing solar energy in strategic locations.