An Ecopod has been installed on to the roof of a block of flats in Woodside by the Queens Cross Housing Association (QCHA).

The project, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, saw the Ecopod green energy system installed and will see more than 500 households in the area benefit from warmer homes, as well as up to 40% reduction in their heating and hot water bills.

QCHA has said the Ecopods will be complimented by gas absorption heat pumps which produce additional heat into the system to help reduce running costs overall. A bespoke Building Management System (BMS) also monitors the system centrally and continually to ensure optimum performance for householders.

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The Ecopod is one of seven being installed by the Housing Association on deck access properties in the north-west Glasgow neighbourhood, which has previously been classed as among the 15% most deprived areas in the country.

Welcoming the project, Queens Cross Chief Executive Shona Stephen said: "Raising the energy efficiency of homes is the most sustainable way to tackle fuel poverty. Indications from comparison sites with Ecopod indicate that our tenants will see significant savings on their fuel bills.

"We're proud to be at the forefront of using innovative technology to reduce carbon emissions and energy usage and delighted to be working so collaboratively with Carillion and British Gas to deliver real benefits to tenants."

Matt Baller, from Carillion, added: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Queens Cross Housing Association on this pioneering project. It is the first ECO-funded programme of its type in the UK and will make a truly positive impact in reducing fuel poverty."

The project is being partly financed through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) programme, with £4.8m coming from Queens Cross funding partner British Gas. The Scottish Government, via Glasgow City Council, is also contributing £1m to the project through its Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (HEEPS:ABS).

(JP)