Geothermal and Heat Pump Heating for Social Housing at Lisnafin Apartments, Strabane

Dalys Renewables are proud to have supported the delivery of an innovative renewable heating system for social housing at Lisnafin Apartments in Strabane, working in partnership with DH Mechanical and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

This forward-thinking project represents the Housing Executive’s first geothermal heating installation of its kind in Northern Ireland, combining ground source heat pumps with air source heat pumps to deliver efficient, low-carbon heating and hot water across the apartment block. The system has been designed to improve comfort for tenants while significantly reducing energy use and long-term carbon emissions.

A First-of-Its-Kind Geothermal Heating Scheme in Northern Ireland

Delivering renewable heating in social housing requires solutions that are reliable, efficient and suitable for long-term use. At Lisnafin, the design called for a carefully engineered approach that could meet the needs of multiple homes while keeping running costs low for residents.

The installation consists of 3 x Ecoforest EcoGeo Lite 1-6kw geothermal heat pumps fitted on the first floor, which draws stable, renewable energy from the ground via 2 x 80m boreholes. The three ground source heat pump units fitted on site, are set up as a decentralised system where all three units share the borehole network for their energy source. These systems are performing exceptionally well, as you can see from the control panels in the images at the bottom of this page.

The three ground-floor flats have 3 x Ecoforest EcoAir Pro+ 1-9kw air source heat pumps as their energy source. Both the geothermal and air-to-water heat pumps have energy monitoring equipment fitted to allow NIHE to compare and contrast the efficiency of both systems.

For social housing providers across Northern Ireland, projects like Lisnafin demonstrate how heat pump technology can be successfully deployed at scale to replace traditional fossil fuel systems. Early feedback on typical electrical operating cost for the apartments is being reported at £1.25 per day for all electricity use (each flat is approximately 60m²).

Designed and Delivered by Renewable Heating Experts

From early feasibility and system design through to installation and commissioning, Daly Renewables played a key role in ensuring the success of the project. With over 19 years of experience in ground and air source heat pump systems, our team was able to support a solution that balances technical performance with real-world practicality.

Careful consideration was given to ground conditions, plant layout, and long-term maintenance requirements. The result is a future-proofed heating system that delivers reliable, low-carbon warmth and hot water for residents.

Turning Renewable Technology into Comfortable Homes

While geothermal and heat pump systems are often discussed in technical terms, their true value is seen once people move in. At Lisnafin Apartments, the completed homes clearly show how renewable heating for social housing can improve everyday living.

The finished development provides warm, efficient apartments that are cheaper to run and less exposed to future energy price rises. For tenants, this means improved comfort and affordability. For housing providers, it delivers a robust, low-carbon solution aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

Ryan Daly, Director at Daly Renewables

“We were delighted to support the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on the Lisnafin Apartments project. Combining geothermal heating with air source heat pumps shows what’s possible when renewable technologies are designed properly and delivered by experienced teams. Projects like this create warmer, more efficient homes and set a strong benchmark for the future of social housing in Northern Ireland.”
Ryan Daly, Director, Daly Renewables

Advancing Renewable Heating Solutions for Social Housing

Lisnafin Apartments stands as a strong example of how geothermal heating and heat pump systems can be successfully integrated into modern social housing developments. As demand grows for low-carbon heating solutions in Northern Ireland, schemes like this help demonstrate what can be achieved through thoughtful design and expert delivery.

Daly Renewables continues to work at the forefront of renewable heating technologies, supporting public sector and housing partners with systems that reduce emissions, improve efficiency and stand the test of time.

If you’re exploring ground source or air source heat pumps for a social housing or residential development, our team is always happy to discuss the options, engineering considerations and long-term benefits.

📩 info@dalyrenewables.com
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