Oakland Care’s Net Zero Care Home Officially Opens
Oakland Care’s highly sustainable care home, Harpenden Springs in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, has officially opened in doors.
The 75-bedroom net zero care home is the latest addition to the leading care home provider’s growing portfolio of care homes across the South East and London.
It represents the carbon neutral businesses ‘greenest’ development to date, and one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly care homes, with its innovative and sustainable design.
Harpenden Springs will be powered by 100% renewable electricity, with 125 solar panels generating power for the care home, whilst air source heat pumps will help heat the building via an under-floor heating system.
It is Oakland Care’s first care home to be powered by renewable energy that does not connect to the gas infrastructure grid. It aims to be fully energy self-sufficient but will source any additional electricity which is required from green providers.
The car park also includes 12 EV charging points, while a wildlife garden area aims to promote and support biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the timber used in the building is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.
Through these efforts the home is set to be certified ‘Excellent’ by BREEAM, a mark of approval by the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for buildings and organisations.
The full care home team which is now on board will be led by General Manager, Luciana Dobos.
Joanne Balmer BEM, Chief Executive Officer of Oakland Care, said: “We’re delighted to announce the opening of Harpenden Springs. This represents a huge milestone for Oakland Care and is reflective of our industry-leading approach to sustainability.
“As a business we are extremely proud of the position we are in as trailblazers in the sustainability space. Achieving our bold ambitions for Harpenden Springs has been no easy feat, but we are incredibly proud to have reached this point. This success has only been made possible because of the steadfast commitment of everybody across Oakland Care to our ‘green’ mission, and our partners who have supported us in delivering our latest care home.
“Crucially, the opening of Harpenden Springs represents yet another expansion of our care offer across the South East and London, and we look forward to continuing to grow and support more people in more communities over the coming years.”
Luciana Dobos, General Manager at Harpenden Springs, said: “We’re pleased to have officially opened our doors to Harpenden Springs. Over the last several months we have brought on board an excellent team who are all now eager to get started. This is an outstanding home for our residents, with a wide range of high-quality amenities and care support offerings that are all provided in a highly sustainable setting. We’re looking forward to building strong relationships with our residents, their families, and the wider community, in the years to come.”
