Renfrewshire Council

What is happening

We are installing a new ground source heating system to replace the current gas supply for heating and hot water in the Gallowhill and Glencairn Court tower blocks.

This change is necessary as the current gas pipework supplying the buildings is nearing the end of its lifespan. 

New radiators, a small individual heat pump, and a hot water cylinder will be installed in each home to replace your current heating and hot water.

How ground heating systems work

Ground source heating systems are more energy efficient and eco-friendly, as they use renewable energy from the ground. 

Deep holes (boreholes) are drilled into the ground around the tower blocks in the carpark and grass areas. The holes contain pipes that form a shared ground loop that collects heat naturally stored in the earth. It provides a building with all of its heating and hot water all year round.

Each flat will have its own small heat pump. These pumps are connected to the shared ground loop.

The heat collected from the ground loop pipes is transferred to the heat pumps in each flat. The heat pumps then increase the temperature of this heat to a level suitable for heating the flats and providing hot water.

The heated water is circulated through the building by communal pipework, called risers. These then split off into each individual flat to the heat pump which is controlled by the tenant.

The heat pump unit in your flat is powered by electricity and not gas. You'll no longer need a gas meter for your heating or hot water.

Who is getting it installed

Every home in the Gallowhill and Glencairn Court tower flats will get the new heating and hot water system.

What happens during the installation

Kensa will carry out the works and aim to complete it by Autumn of 2026.

They'll install a new heat pump and hot water cylinder in your home, along with new radiators and controls. 

The new heat pump is installed safely in an airing cupboard or kitchen cabinet, in the same way as a traditional boiler. It's no louder than a kitchen appliance such as a dishwasher.

The controls for your radiators, thermostat and room temperature controls will work a lot like your current system.

The contractor will provide you with a manual and demonstrations for the new heating system to show you how it works. 

You will not need to move out during the installation. There will be a communal area available for use during working hours so that you can have a break from the disruption of the installation. 

Drilling in the car park will be limited to sections at a time to reduce disruption and maintain as much availability of the car park as much as possible.

How long it'll take 

The project will be completed in 3 phases during 2025 and 2026:

• Phase 1: drilling the bore holes and installing the pipework in the ground in the surrounding areas. This will be completed in sections to reduce disruption to the car park as much as possible. 
• Phase 2: installing the pipework supply in the tower blocks.
• Phase 3: disconnecting the gas supply and installation of new supply pipes, new radiators, heat pumps and hot water cylinders into each flat.

The whole project is expected to be completed in Autumn 2026.

We'll keep you informed through each stage of the process, including details of the installation timeline. 

You can also contact us if you have any questions or concerns by:

• email at Housinginvestment@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone on 0300 300 0300.

Kensa will also have liaison officers on site to support tenants throughout the works.

After it is installed

After the new system is installed, your heating and hot water usage will be automatically added to your electricity bill. 

We'll give you support on which electricity and heat pump tariffs that are available for your home.