Leeds property firm completes low-carbon apartment conversion using new indoor heat-pump technology
A Leeds-based property developer has completed what it says is one of the city’s most sustainable small-scale apartment refurbishments, using an innovative indoor heat-pump system to decarbonise a former student property.
Pickard Properties has invested £450,000 to transform a former nine-bedroom student house on Kirkstall Lane, Headingley, into three highly energy-efficient, fully electric apartments.
The project has seen the installation of a KERS indoor heat-pump system, a relatively new technology that captures and recycles waste heat from within the building to provide renewable hot water at a constant temperature of around 20°C.
Unlike traditional air-source heat pumps, which require external units, the system is located entirely inside the property, making it suitable for terraced streets, tightly packed urban housing and conservation areas where outside installations are often restricted.
The developer says the scheme demonstrates how thousands of similar older homes across Leeds could be upgraded to reduce carbon emissions without the need for demolition or large-scale redevelopment.
The Kirkstall Lane property now operates without a gas connection, supported by solar photovoltaic panels, upgraded insulation, LED lighting and smart electric heating systems designed to minimise energy use and running costs for residents.
Simon Pickard, director at Pickard Properties, said the project was designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing older housing stock in Leeds.
He said: “Leeds has a huge number of terraced and converted properties where installing traditional heat pumps simply isn’t practical. This project was about showing what can be achieved through thoughtful retrofit rather than starting from scratch.
“The indoor heat-pump system allows us to remove gas entirely while still providing residents with reliable, low-carbon hot water, without the visual or space issues that come with external units.”
The refurbishment forms part of Pickard Properties’ wider sustainability strategy, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions across its rental portfolio and future-proofing older buildings in the city.
Simon Pickard added: “Sustainability isn’t just about new developments. It’s also about upgrading existing homes in a way that works for Leeds’ streets and communities. We believe this project provides a blueprint for how landlords and developers can improve energy efficiency in space-constrained buildings.”
The completed scheme comprises three premium apartments, including two one-bedroom homes and a two-bedroom apartment, designed for professional tenants. The development also includes secure cycle storage, electric vehicle charging, full-fibre broadband and the use of sustainable materials throughout.