The Old Fire Station (OFC) Community Centre in Stoke Newington went live in August 2024. We are installing solar PV, building management systems and LED lighting, predicted to save a combined total of £6,000 on running costs and around 8 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Collaborators and funders
The project is funded through Hackney Council's Community Energy Fund, managed by Hackney Light and Power.
Technology used
- 12 solar panels (6.30 kWp) on the roof above the flat on the upper floor.
- Replacing T8 and T5 fluorescent striplights and 2D bulkheads with LED lighting. This will include the removal and safe disposal of the old fittings and the installation of LEDs with PIR sensors.
- Building management system to control the heating across the building. This will include the installation of smart thermostatic radiator valves, thermostatic controls throughout the building and a Zigbee wifi system for enhanced communication.
- Powerflushing of the radiator system and the replacement of water and inhibitors with a nanotechnology fluid, Hydromx, to improve boiler efficiency and accelerate heat transfer.
Additional benefits
By reducing energy costs by a projected £6,000 a year, the community centre will be able to keep rents and costs down for its tenants and hirers, as well as provide partnership funding toward the other bids it needs to renovate the building.
The better insulation and controls will make the OFS a warmer and more comfortable building for users. The plan is to open the main hall, during the hours it is not in use, as a warmth bank in winter for local residents less able to afford to keep their heating on.
The better insulation and controls will make the OFS a warmer and more comfortable building for users. The plan is to open the main hall, during the hours it is not in use, as a warmth bank in winter for local residents less able to afford to keep their heating on.
About The Old Fire Station
The OFS is based in Stoke Newington, Hackney and provides and maintains an affordable spaces for the use of voluntary sector, social enterprises, charitable organisations, creative and cultural groups, other organisations and individuals. The OFS has around 23,000 visits to the building each year from local residents and organisations.
These organisations support local culture and the arts, protect and preserve health, benefit the environment, improve quality of life, promote education, development of skills, employment and sustainable economies, relieve poverty, sickness and distress, and provide recreational activities and otherwise benefit those residents of Hackney in demonstrable need.
Their long-term tenants include:
These organisations support local culture and the arts, protect and preserve health, benefit the environment, improve quality of life, promote education, development of skills, employment and sustainable economies, relieve poverty, sickness and distress, and provide recreational activities and otherwise benefit those residents of Hackney in demonstrable need.
Their long-term tenants include:
- Growing Communities, which runs a low cost vegetable box scheme delivered to 6,000 local residents every week, as well as supplying fresh food to local food banks.
- Hackney Migrant Centre provides over 600 people per year with immigration, welfare, accommodation and health advice.
- LEYF (London Early Years Foundation) which runs the 45-place Fire Station Nursery from the building and provides free places for about half the parents using it.
- Hackney Children’s Theatre, Jamboulay Arts runs classes in making Carnival costumes
- SkatePal provides skateboarding infrastructure, equipment and training for Palestinian children.