25 October 2024

Wilma van der Lans on her Participation in the WarmteWissel pilot with Tarnoc in Den Bosch

Wilma van der Lans from Den Bosch lives in a rental home managed by the housing corporation Zayaz. Over the past two years, she has participated in a sustainability pilot project called WarmteWissel. In this project, her traditional gas boiler was replaced by Tarnoc’s Turbine Heat Pump, developed to facilitate the transition to gas-free heating for homes. Wilma shares her experiences and motivation for participating.

“I want to leave the world in a better state for my grandchildren.”

Wilma learned about the pilot through a Zayaz newsletter. “The housing association asked residents if they wanted to participate in a project to replace the gas boiler with a more sustainable alternative,” she explains. For Wilma, it was immediately clear that she wanted to try this. “I have eight grandchildren, and I want them to grow up in a world that we haven’t completely exhausted. That is my biggest motivation.”

Her commitment to sustainability extends beyond this project. Wilma actively tries to contribute to a greener future in her daily life. “I try to use my bike as much as possible, and I even bought an e-bike for longer distances. I’ve also significantly reduced my car use and go on cycling holidays in the Netherlands more often. For me, it’s a combination of living more consciously and a change influenced by the pandemic.”

The Installation Process and Her Experiences

As part of the WarmteWissel pilot, Wilma’s old gas heater in her attic was replaced by a modern heat pump. Although she doesn’t know much about the technical details, she emphasizes that the entire process went smoothly. “Technology isn’t really my thing, but I barely noticed the installation. The technicians from Tarnoc were professional, and I was only without heating briefly when the old boiler was removed, and the new one was installed.”

The pilot, which lasted almost three years, went largely without issues. “There were two minor malfunctions, but they were quickly resolved. One time, they could even fix it remotely, and the other time, a technician came by. Beyond that, I barely noticed anything, and the system worked as it should.”

Why Wilma Chose the WarmteWissel

Wilma’s decision to participate in the pilot was mainly driven by her environmental concern. She emphasizes that she likes to contribute to the energy transition, even though she is not a technician herself. “For me, it’s important that we do something about how we consume energy. I don’t need to know exactly how the Turbine Heat Pump works, as long as it contributes to a greener world.”

Tarnoc’s Turbine Heat Pump is specifically designed to make homes free of natural gas without requiring major adjustments to the existing infrastructure. This makes the system particularly suitable for rental homes like Wilma’s, where traditional boilers are replaced when they reach the end of their lifespan.

A Look into the Future

Wilma has a clear vision of the future. Not only does she hope that her home will eventually become completely gas-free, but she also believes that projects like Tarnoc’s WarmteWissel are essential for broader sustainability efforts in society. “If we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy a healthy planet, we need to take action now.”

Her positive experience with the WarmteWissel confirms her belief that the energy transition is achievable if the right technologies are used. “It’s encouraging to see that real solutions are being developed that work not only in theory but also in practice.”

Tarnoc: Innovation in Practice

The WarmteWissel pilot is an important step in Tarnoc’s mission to make homes energy-efficient and future-proof. Thanks to subsidies from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), innovative projects like this can be realized. For Tarnoc, it is crucial that the technology is tested in the daily lives of residents like Wilma. The comfort of the residents is a priority, and the experiences of people like Wilma help Tarnoc further develop and perfect the Turbine Heat Pump.

Wilma looks back on her participation in the pilot with pride. “I think it’s important that, as a society, we take responsibility for our energy consumption, and I’m glad I was able to contribute to this.” Thanks to her involvement and this pilot, another step has been taken toward a gas-free and sustainable future.

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