In Delfzijl, housing association Acantus has thoroughly upgraded sixty social housing units. The homes have been disconnected from the natural gas grid and now run entirely on electricity, cutting carbon emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
From gas boiler to heat pump
The core of the project is the switch to all-electric air/water heat pumps. These systems draw heat from the outside air and use it for space heating and hot water. With gas no longer required, the traditional boilers have been removed from the homes.
To position the outdoor units neatly and efficiently, the project uses a rooftop arrangement. This keeps facades and gardens free of equipment and keeps the installation well organised on the roof, which benefits maintenance and helps to manage noise.
Ventilation and comfort
Alongside the heat pumps, the homes have been fitted with new ventilation systems. In well-insulated and airtight buildings, controlled ventilation is essential: it maintains a healthy indoor climate and prevents moisture problems. The combination of improved insulation, heat pumps and managed ventilation noticeably raises living comfort.
For the construction and installation sector, the project is a clear example of large-scale sustainability work in existing social housing. Housing associations face the task of making large numbers of homes gas-free in the coming years, and standardised approaches like this one make that challenge more manageable.
- Gas-free: sixty homes fully disconnected from natural gas
- Technology: all-electric air/water heat pumps
- Placement: compact rooftop arrangement for the outdoor units
- Comfort: renewed ventilation for a healthy indoor climate
With this approach, Acantus shows that sustainability and affordable living can go hand in hand, even in the social housing sector.