Seafarers go green to reduce carbon footprint

A care home in Surrey has recently taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint and become self-sufficient.

The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society in Banstead, Surrey has newly installed solar panels, a borehole in the grounds and a biomass boiler. The new installations have been introduced to reduce the negative impact on the environment whilst reducing the amount of money spent on energy bills.

Richard Condie, estates manager for the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said: “After researching a number of different options, we agreed the use of solar panels, a biomass boiler and a borehole were the perfect combination for us to make the home greener and more efficient. We’ve made some huge savings so far and hope to continue to do so to fund further plans for the home.”

The home now features a timber pellet fire biomass boiler that works to provide electricity and heat to the home, with a reduced impact on the environment. The new boiler means that the home will no longer rely on gas, therefore reducing the home’s use to less than 20 percent.

In addition to a new biomass boiler, there is a 135 metre borehole in the grounds to supply water to the home, saving an estimated £8,000 per year. The home also now has an onsite compost bin, recently installed by a team of volunteers from Legal & General.

All money that is being saved by the installation of new green energy sources is being put back into the home in the form of renovations, extensions and refurbishments to ensure that residents feel at home.

Chief executive commander of the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “We are well on our way to becoming a self-sufficient home. Not only are we providing energy to the home powered on site, we’re also doing our bit to reduce our carbon emissions. There is so much we can do with the money we’re saving, meaning we can continue to provide the best care possible for our residents.”

The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is a registered charity providing nursing, residential, respite and dementia care to retired seafarers as well as people from non-seafaring backgrounds.