Twelve volunteer plumbers took over the community hub on July 1 to revamp the heating system and install a free Viessmann boiler and Plumbase parts.
Thanks to Viessmann and its “Heroes of Heat” team, the Monkey Park social enterprise in Chesterfield is now able to keep its community users comfortable year-round.
On July 1 a new heating system – including a Viessmann Vitodens 100-W boiler – was installed by a team of volunteer plumbers. Pipes, sundries and radiators were donated by Plumbase, Spirotech, Fernox, QRL Radiators, EPH Controls and JG Speedfit.
The community hub, cycle project and workspace centre’s previous 45 year-old heating system was ‘on its knees,’ with management and café staff forced to transport hot water around the building in saucepans.
A desperate tweet from supporter, Kevin Walker of local business Bitz ‘n’ PC’z, was seen by Viessmann, who urgently assembled a “Heroes of Heat” team that would ensure Monkey Park not only avoided a replacement cost of approximately £6,000, but that would see the hub enjoying a permanent reduction of 40% on energy bills.
Simon Redding, co-founder of Monkey Park, said: “We are over the moon at this tremendous assistance from Viessmann, Plumbase and the “Heroes of Heat”. It means we can continue to spend our funds on developing new community projects.
“We have replaced our previous disjointed and ancient heating system with a single efficient system, with the very latest controls, which will drastically reduce the £350 to £400 we spend per month on energy bills.”
Darren McMahon, marketing director at Viessmann, said: ““Heroes for Heat” is a new initiative from Viessmann where, along with our installer and industry supplier partners, we can help out selected charities, not-for-profit organizations, and underprivileged homeowners who are knocked for six when their heating systems fail.”
The volunteer installers were: Ian Forbes Heating and Plumbing, (Wayne) Kirby Heating and Plumbing, Damon Steele of DS Steele Heating Engineers, Lee Brown of The Peak Group, (Jon) Walton Heating and Plumbing, Jacob Hoyes of KBR Gas Services, Peter Booth of GV Booth Heating and Plumbing, James Foukes of Park Lane Plumbing, Chris Surridge of Meridian Heating, Damien Rose of DTR Gas and Heating, Robb Caven – NVQ L2 student, Andy Brown of ACE Heating Services, and Jonathan Hallam from Viessmann.