Twenty-seven state-of-the-art ‘eco boilers’ at a multi-million-pound homes development in Bradford are to be ripped out and replaced.
Most residents of Pavilion Gardens, Dudley Hill, scored a victory when housebuilder Lovell confirmed it would be taking out the NIBE boilers at two and three-bedroom properties.
Lovell regional director Tony Tann said: “I can confirm that we will be replacing the NIBE boilers which have caused the problems on specific property types at Pavilion Gardens. Residents of these homes who have experienced excessive energy bills will be reimbursed and we are discussing the compensation arrangements with the Council.”
People had complained furiously to Lovell and Bradford Council about sky-high bills from the supposed economical appliances.
But, after two drop-in sessions held by the Council, residents in the two and three-bedroom properties said they were happy with the latest news.
Sunny Tanday and Safina Kauber are next-door neighbours. They said: “They said they are going to reimburse us and put in boilers that run efficiently – we are happy.”
Denise Brown said there was no date set for when residents would be reimbursed, but added: “I am glad something is getting done. All we talk about round here is bills.”
Richard Burnham, principal development manager at the Council, said 27 NIBE boilers would be removed and the work would run from April 15 until the middle of July, on a “staggered” basis.
Mr Burnham said: “There will be no time when properties will be without heating or hot water.”
However, four-bedroom houses on the development will retain their NIBE boilers, to the dismay of people living in those properties.
The NIBEs in the four-bed homes are air-source heat-pump boilers, whereas the boilers in the two and three-bed properties are exhaust- source heat pump.
Lorraine Pommells, who moved into her house in July 2011, said: “They have told us these boilers run efficiently, but we know they don’t. Up-to-date we have paid £3,900 for electricity and gas. Our last bill was £699 for four months.
“We are doing everything in our power to switch everything off when we aren’t using it. We have no dishwasher or dryer and are keeping windows and doors shut. We want compensating and feel our questions haven’t been answered.”
Gary and Rowena Gartland added: “They are talking rubbish - why aren’t they taking ours out as well? We are putting £25 a day in our token meter and are struggling big time. We are begging and borrowing off friends. Since the middle of January we have put about £1,000 in our electric meter.”
Mr Tann said: “As far as we are aware the problem with the NIBE boilers is limited to the two and three-bedroom homes. The Council is reviewing all residents’ energy bills to confirm if this is the case.”
Mr Burnham said: “There are some four-bedroom houses that have NIBE boilers. We are looking at these boilers and we believe they may be working efficiently. We will decide in the next couple of weeks whether we will replace these.”
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