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Preparing homes for district heating
Schiedam has set a goal of making the Groenoord neighborhood completely gas-free. For this to happen, some steps still need to be taken. The homes must be energetically improved and the installations made ready for connection to district heating.
Housing corporation Woonplus has awarded the implementation of the measures to Hemubo Bouw, which in January 2022 gave the first homes of the 1970s apartment building their "energy fix. The homes were already partially insulated by then. It is up to Hemubo to lay the piping that will enable connection to district heating and to fit the windows and doors with HR++ glass. For this it will be present in the homes for a maximum of ten days.
As appealing as it is to become independent of gas in this day and age, the residents of Groenoord are skeptical of all that is to come. "It's a collective story," understands Michael van Leyenhorst, business manager of Hemubo Bouw. "That raises doubts and fears, which residents often feed on each other. In order to still build trust, we put together a six-man resident team together with client Woonplus. The residential supervisors take the residents to the model home, let them see and experience what it will soon look like and inform them about the benefits."
Construction of the new piping in the gallery apartments is intensive. The drilling work causes noise pollution for two days. Residents will have construction workers on the floor for five days, and the existing heat and water supplies will be taken over by temporary facilities. "We are doing everything we can to limit the inconvenience. Where we normally stick to a tight Lean planning, we have scheduled moments of rest here. There are also fourteen rest rooms where residents can take a breather. Here there is coffee and an opportunity to have a chat."
Extra attention is required for the asbestos present in the walls of the houses. Through proper risk analysis and preparation, Hemubo is doing everything possible to limit the risks. Craftsmen are instructed on a daily basis to ensure their own safety and that of the residents. "That requires considerable discipline. But so far, fortunately, things are going well."
A challenge of a different order is the difficult supplies of materials and price increases due to the war in Ukraine. To mitigate these risks, large purchases and ample reserves are necessary. "We have the space to build up a buffer and have the fleet of vehicles to transport the parts to the construction site."
In December 2024, Hemubo will complete the project and residents will have a safer and more comfortable home that includes new radiators, heat that stays inside and more hot water from the faucet.
