A maritime care home in Surrey has taken a huge leap into the world of green living, cutting its carbon footprint and working towards becoming self-sufficient. The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has installed solar panels, a biomass boiler and a borehole at its facilities in Banstead.
A pellet-fired biomass boiler has recently been installed, which uses pellets made from a high quality timber to produce heat and electricity with less effect on the environment than fossil fuels. The boiler will result in the home being less reliant on gas, reducing usage to under 20%.
The green initiatives employed at the home will reduce its impact on the environment and reduce spend at a time when energy bills are rising nationally. Solar panels installed in 2012 have saved the home 15% on electricity bills so far.
A new 135 metre borehole will provide the home’s water supply with estimated savings of up to £8,000 a year. The money saved from these various initiatives will go back into the home, funding further projects, refurbishments and extensions for the residents to enjoy.
Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Estates Manager, Richard Condie, said: “After researching a number of different options, we agreed the use of solar panels, a biomass boiler and a borehole were the perfect combination for us to make the home greener and more efficient. We’ve made some huge savings so far and hope to continue to do so to fund further plans for the home.”
Small changes can go a long way; the home now has a compost bin on site, installed during a recent garden revamp by local volunteers from Legal & General.
Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Chief Executive, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “We are well on our way to becoming a self-sufficient home. Not only are we providing energy to the home, powered on site, we’re also doing our bit to reduce our carbon emissions. There is so much we can do with the money we’re saving, meaning we can continue to provide the best care possible for our residents.”