To mark the start of Gas Safety Week, we are delighted to announce we no longer has domestic gas appliances in any of our 23 high rise tower blocks.
Our four tower blocks located in Sunderland’s city centre were the last of our blocks to have the gas supply removed as part of a wider investment programme that has seen gas removed from 11 of our tower blocks over the last 12 months.
The removal of the gas supply from our seven towers in Roker and Monkwearmouth was part of our Core 364 project, which saw the gas boilers removed and replaced with a ground source open loop heating system. We're anticipating this will lead to a saving of more than 377,000 of carbon per year across the seven towers.
The removal of gas and gas appliances has significantly improved the safety of the towers which are home to hundreds of our tenants and residents. It is predicted tenants living in the towers will also benefit from reduced utility bills by using an alternative heat source to gas to heat their homes.
Our Associate Director Property Investment, Marc Edwards, said:
“Gentoo is committed to providing safe and affordable housing for its tenants and I’m really pleased to be able to say we no longer have domestic gas appliances in any of our tower blocks. The removal of gas and gas appliances has significantly improved the building safety and reduces the amount of carbon produced, contributing to Sunderland City Council’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
Joe Haustead, Head of Community Safety, Development and Improvement at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Gas as a daily resource is something that we all take for granted much like electricity but we also need to respect it for essential safety reasons. We use gas on a daily basis to heat our homes and businesses and for cooking. However, if appliances such as boilers, heaters and cookers aren’t cleaned and maintained, this could result in gas leaks, fires and Carbon monoxide poisoning.
“It’s always better to be gas safe than sorry, and Gas Safety Week is an ideal opportunity to ensure everyone is thinking about using gas safely.”
Gas Safety Week is a national awareness week, coordinated by Gas Safe Register, that aims to highlight the importance of gas safety by sharing top tips to help keep everyone safe.
If you are interested in living in one of our tower blocks, please visit www.gentoogroup.com/homehunt to find out more.
