As the world continues to make sustainability a priority to preserve its future, waste is becoming an urgent issue. Unnecessary waste, including emissions, has had a disastrous impact on the Earth. UK housing now accounts for more than 40% of the country’s carbon emissions. So, it is clear that we need to make drastic changes within this sector, if we want to save our planet.

A communal heating system helps to heat a number of homes from a centralised source. This type of heating system uses significantly less energy, compared to using individual boilers in each home. With this combination of a more efficient source, and renewable energy, carbon emissions can be greatly reduced.

Let’s look at how social housing can benefit from communal energy.

Increased efficiency

Also referred to as Combined Heat and Power (CHP), communal heating systems make use of heat in the most efficient and effective way. Conventional heating systems, on the other hand, tend to waste large amounts of energy and heat as they burn fuel.

By generating heat and power simultaneously, CHP systems can reduce carbon emissions significantly. Sometimes by up to 30%, compared with conventional heat generation, via a boiler and power station. This enhanced efficiency could also help to reduce your environmental impact.

As the world focuses on reaching a sustainable future, it is essential that countries, businesses and individuals make significant changes. This means factoring in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) into future business strategies. Agreeing to ESG standards means that a business must conduct themselves ethically. This includes finding the most sustainable and efficient ways of obtaining energy – through practices such as communal energy.

Reducing costs

An on-site CHP installation will typically generate electricity from natural gas at a cheaper rate than procurement from the grid. This is because (notwithstanding the current energy crisis) wholesale gas prices tend to be lower than supplier prices.

To maximise the overall efficiency of CHP systems and ensure the availability of power at all times, businesses often use both options: self-generated and grid electricity supplies. This gives business owners the flexibility to draw on grid power when it is cheapest, and to use their self-generated power at peak times. This means that they can avoid purchasing network power during the most expensive hours, such as during ‘triad’ periods (when prices are vastly inflated).

This reduction in costs will be reflected in your tenant billing, in turn helping tenants to avoid fuel poverty.

Energy security

As the price of fossil fuels continues to rise at an alarming rate, finding more sustainable routes to obtaining energy is vital. Communal heating systems give business owners the chance to reduce unnecessary waste and costs, while increasing energy security.

Switching to more sustainable energy resources reduces the uncertainty of fossil fuel availability and fluctuating prices. In the midst of a turbulent energy market, it can be hard to determine which route is best to take – especially in the public housing sector, which is so energy reliant. Rather than worrying about individual energy for a boiler in each flat, having a central source of energy can cut out costs, waste and general inefficiency.

Having an awareness of specific energy usage can also help business owners to comply with government legislation on energy efficiency. Understanding exactly where the energy is coming from and how it is being shared allows for an efficient and sustainable practice – which could help business owners avoid costly fines.

Where does Monarch come in?

With the pressure to become sustainable, knowing where to start can be difficult and confusing. But understanding your emissions levels – and taking steps to reduce them – is a good starting point.

At Monarch, we don’t underestimate the power of energy efficiency. With our expert team, and smart monitoring and metering services, we can help our clients to become as efficient as possible. We can help to audit and monitor your energy usage, identifying and suggesting solutions for areas of waste.

Get in touch today to hear more on how Monarch can help your school, college, or university on the road to sustainability.