RPS Group, a specialist contractor in installing energy-efficient and low carbon heating solutions, has successfully completed over a £1.6m project for City of York Council, delivering major decarbonisation upgrades to apartment blocks within two independent living communities.
RPS Group replaced outdated electric heating systems with 62 energy-efficient air source heat pumps alongside solar panels. Installed across all 27 apartments at Alex Lyon House and 35 flats at Honeysuckle House, the new systems provide residents with dedicated air source heat pumps and high-efficiency radiators, ensuring access to modern, low carbon heating.
Funded by the Mayoral Combined Authority’s Net Zero Fund, the completed project represents a significant step in the Council’s wider strategy to decarbonise its housing stock, reduce emissions, and improve the quality of life for residents. The project also supports the Council’s wider ambitions to become a Net Zero city by 2030.
The upgrades will substantially reduce heating energy costs for residents while lowering the carbon footprint of both apartment blocks. In addition to financial and environmental benefits, the improvements have enhanced the overall comfort, warmth, and health of the homes, creating better living conditions for some of the city’s vulnerable residents.
RPS Group was chosen for its proven expertise in delivering large-scale heat pump retrofits, including the UK’s largest social housing retrofit across Yorkshire.
Installing air source heat pumps in apartment blocks can present significant technical challenges, ranging from limited space for external units to the complexity of dealing with older infrastructure and managing heat distribution in shared or communal systems.
York and North Yorkshire Mayor, David Skaith said: “Our homes should be a place of comfort which is why we’re upgrading the homes of those who need it most, like the older residents living in apartments run by City of York Council.
“York and North Yorkshire’s upcoming Retrofit Strategy has communities like these at its heart, but we’re already getting started. We have invested £1.6m in new technology through our Net Zero Fund so they can stay warm without worrying about their energy bills, while supporting our net zero ambitions.”
Graham Rothwell, Owner and Founder of RPS Group, commented: “We’re proud to be working with the City of York Council on such an important project, helping vulnerable residents out of fuel poverty through the latest heating technology.
“As one of the North’s leading heating contractors, we understand the challenges that come with upgrading older, often outdated systems. Apartment blocks can be especially challenging due to critical issues like limited space, inadequate insulation, and the need for seamless integration with existing heating infrastructure.
“Projects like this demand more than just technical know-how, but the ability to manage complex logistics, and that’s where our experience really sets us apart.”
