A block of six flats in Strabane has become the first Housing Executive property to receive a geothermal heating system, combining ground-source and air-source heat pumps to improve energy efficiency for older tenants.

The pilot retrofitting at Lisnafin Park, designed for residents over 55 with assisted living needs, required principal contractor McCusker Contracts Ltd to drill 100-metre deep boreholes for the ground-sourced system, supplied by Daly Renewables Ltd. The upgrade includes solar photovoltaic panels, ventilation improvements, and enhanced airtightness.

Housing Executive Chair Nicole Lappin visited the completed project, calling it a significant milestone for retrofitting social housing. The organisation, which manages over 80,000 properties across Northern Ireland, said the flats now exceed current building energy-performance standards, sharply reducing their carbon footprint. Lappin stated that such work informs future sustainability strategies to insulate tenants from fuel poverty while improving health and comfort.

Project Architect Sharon Poots noted that the dual heating system, a first for the Housing Executive, will not be the last. She explained that low-carbon heat pumps can generate up to four units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed, lowering heating and hot water bills. Combined with solar generation, the technology offers energy independence and shields households from volatile oil and gas markets. The systems operate quietly and provide ambient heat consistently, creating a comfortable indoor environment when paired with sealed construction, she added.

Tenant Ann Winnings described the new flats as holding heat well and easy to use, removing any worry about returning to a cold home. The stable temperature, she said, suits her health needs.

Fellow resident John Gamble, who uses a wheelchair, moved into a ground-floor flat adapted for his mobility requirements. The property features a separate accessible entrance with a ramp, a level-access shower, and an audio-visual intercom system. He said moving from a two-storey house to single-level living has made daily management much easier.

Project Manager Jonathan Kyle wished the new tenants many comfortable years, highlighting the benefits of the energy and cost-efficient geothermal setup.