”Of course it makes sense to go together with other homeowners, when you want to throw out the old oil furnace and buy a new efficient heat pump. It gives economies of scale and the possibility to spar with other homeowners about the advantages and disadvantages with different offers on heat pumps.”
This is what Carsten Mortensen, owner of Frishop.dk, who is the chairman of the group of citizens, who together collected offers on heat pumps, says. The group, of 5, maybe 7 people, are about to make a deal with Klimadan.
Peter Davidsen from Klimadan says: “I am proud that the homeowners choose our offer. The homeowners have been exciting to work with, not least because the have been prepared. Before Klimadan has been asked to make an offer, the homeowners already had informative meetings about replacement of oil furnaces. This won´t be the last time we will join this type of task and we hope there will be more of this type of initiatives.”
The initiative for the informative meetings, have been organized by the Energy Alliance Triangle (Vejle, Kolding, Middelfart, Frederica, Billund and Vejen Municipalities) and a presentation has been given by www.sparenergi.dk. In connection with these meetings, the homeowners could write their names on a list of “serious homeowners”, who where ready to replace their oil furnaces. From this part on, the homeowners contacted on their own, the suppliers, who they wanted to make offers, with a little facilitation from the municipalities.
It is a type of project, we will see much more of in the future. At least if it is up to the mayor Johannes Lundsfryd Jensen, Middelfart Municipality. Johannes Lundsfryd Jensen says:” We are working tough with the green transition and a sustainable community, which means that we together with the citizens will take the initiative and create common sustainable results. Common purchase of heat pumps is a great example of how the municipalities serve the citizens with advice and guidance, facilitation of meetings and the hassle. And yes, it can seem innovative and wild, that we support common purchase of heat pumps like this. But it is essentially fully in line with what a municipality is: a unity to solve common interests and needs, no matter if it is teaching, eldercare or collective energy initiatives. That citizens can save money and reduce CO2 emissions with 15 to 25 tons in this project is a gain for the individuals and the community.”
Author: Morten Mejsen Westergaard
Translation: Mareike Johannsen
Contact:
Morten Mejsen Westergaard (morten.westergaard@middelfart.dk)
Mareike Johannsen (Mareike.johannsen@middelfart.dk)
The article was published in Danish in the Fredericia Avisen as well (PDF). Find the original on the homepage of Middelfart Municipality.
