Big changes have been happening at our Chessel Centre this year, and they’re all about keeping things cooler, greener, and more energy efficient.
This has been made possible thanks to a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Green Business Grant. These grants are designed to help small and medium businesses and organisations purchase and install new products and equipment that reduce carbon emissions, cut utility costs, and improve energy efficiency. We’re incredibly grateful for their support in helping us take these big green steps forward.
Back in April, the team from Solar Sentry Window Films Ltd worked their magic and installed solar window film on all our windows. If you’ve ever spent a hot day inside the Centre, you’ll know how warm those rooms can get. The new film helps cut down the amount of heat that sneaks in through the glass, keeping our spaces more comfortable, especially during those heatwave days we had over the summer.
Now, while the solar film alone can’t completely fix high indoor temperatures, it’s a great part of a bigger plan. Next up in the mix are MVHRs (that’s Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery units). These clever systems will bring fresh air into the Chessel Centre Nursery rooms and can even run overnight to help clear out the heat that builds up during the day.
Even better, MVHRs don’t waste warmth in winter – they actually capture heat from outgoing air and use it to warm the fresh air coming in. So, they’ll help us stay cosy in the colder months without wasting energy. Win-win!
Then, in June, we took things one step further toward sustainability with Your Eco Construction Ltd, who installed a brand new 30-panel, 13.5kWp solar PV array on the flat roofs of the Centre. This joins our existing panels on the sloped roofs. Together, they’ll generate even more clean electricity and reduce how much we need to draw from the grid.
These upgrades mean lower running costs, a smaller environmental footprint, and a more comfortable space for everyone who uses the Chessel Centre. In fact, the combined initiatives are expected to save around 1.43 tonnes of CO₂ every year.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the numbers over the next year to see exactly how much of a difference the new systems make, but one thing’s for sure: the Chessel Centre is now a more comfortable place to be in. Thanks, WECA for your support.