Renewable energy powers new Swindon care home
The new state-of-the-art care home set to open in South Marston next year.
The Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Ambassador for the Greener Swindon mission, Councillor Emma Bushell, visited Coate Water Care to find out more about their new state-of-the-art care home.
The nursing and care provider secured planning permission to transform an office building at 9, Lancaster Mews, on the South Marston Industrial Estate, into a modern care home with capacity for 60 residents.
Jamie Smith, Director at Coate Water Care, outlined during the visit how the new building will incorporate a range of renewable technologies, including solar panels and a ground source heat pump system.
Thanks to these features' design, renewable energy will meet the vast majority of the home’s operational needs. This is hoped it will result in extremely low day‑to‑day carbon emissions.
Roughly 40 per cent of a care home’s total carbon emissions are typically generated from heating, lighting and cooling. Water heating alone can make up to 30 per cent of a home's daily energy use.
The new care home will also integrate grey water reuse - which entails using water from showers, sinks, baths and washing machines - along with rainwater harvesting to optimise water usage.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has incorporated sustainability into its regulatory framework as part of its commitment to driving continuous improvement across the sector.
The CQC's main focus remains on care quality and patient outcomes, but sustainability now intersects with these goals. Environmentally conscious practices are seen as part of long-term operational success and community well-being.
Councillor Bushell said: “Climate change requires all of us - individuals and businesses - to think differently and put sustainability at the heart of our decisions.
“It is impressive to see Coate Water Care leading by example. By prioritising energy efficiency from the outset, the company is going the extra mile to ensure this new care home operates with a minimal carbon footprint. Their investment in renewable energy and smart design will also help reduce running costs by lowering reliance on grid‑supplied power.
“It was a pleasure to visit the site and see firsthand the passion behind this project. I look forward to the opening of the new care home next year.”
Jamie Smith, Director of Coate Water Care, said: "For the last 10 years Coate Water Care have been passionate about reducing the impacts our homes have on the environment and the wider communities.
"Our ongoing sustainability programme is focused on reducing our carbon footprint and achieving our sustainability goals.
"This new flagship care home offers us the opportunity to go one step further.
"From its inception our goal has been to achieve as close to net zero as possible, while still delivering quality care and supporting the local community."