14:1: The properties are heated by a gas fired ducted air system, now believed obsolete, downstairs. There is no heating upstairs.

14:2:1: The tenants are placed in a "Catch 22" situation whereas:-

14:2:2: If they put the heating on they face high fuel bills while on a low income. The hot dry air irritates the condition of asthma which some tenants and their children suffer from. Also tenants tend to feel sleepy, suffer from headaches and sore throats when the heating is used because of the dry air.

14:2:3: If tenants fail to use the heating they have to put up with extremely cold rooms. Sometimes tenants also suffer from cold related illnesses when the heating is not used.

14:3: The Fordyce Estate is in an exposed and elevated position, approximately 40 metres (123 feet), above sea level. Strong cold winds add to the difficulty of heating the properties to an adequate level. See appendix 17:1 for statistics relating to storm damage.

14:4:1: Heating bills tend to be very high due the above reasons and because of:-

14:4:2: Poor insulation of the walls.

14:4:3: Poor insulation of the roof space.

14:4:4: Poor insulation of concrete flooring.

14:4:5:1: The poor quality windows and doors are also an area of high heat loss. See appendix 12:1 and 15:6.

14:4:5:2: The ill fitting windows and doors allow heat to escape, they also allow rain to enter the properties. See appendix 12:1 and 15:6.

14:4:6: The gas burning system is inefficient compared with modern standards.

14:4:7:1: The gas fired ducted air system is designed for background heating.

14:4:7:2: Tenants have to use electric powered heating to supplement gas fired ducted air system.

14:4:7:3: This is expensive for tenants using Economy Seven electricity because of the higher daytime rate.

14:5:1: Heat loss problems caused by poor insulation of walls and windows etc. also create:-

14:5:2: Cold surfaces result in excessive condensation leading to mould damage, damaged wall paper, etc. see appendix 18:4:B and 18:5:A.

14:5:3: Both windows and walls suffer badly from this problem.

14:6:1: Initial heating is used in evaporating the condensation.

14:6:2: To be taken into account is a lot of tenants are on a low income and spend a great deal of time in their homes. See appendix 13:3 to 13:6 regarding the level of unemployment.
14:6:3: A large number of tenants have young children to provide heating for.

14:6:4: High heating bills cause additional stress.

14:7:1: Other problems with the gas fired ducted air system include:-

14:7:2: Some parts are difficult and expensive to obtain.

14:7:3: Some tenants believe that this can lead to the need to cannibalise parts.

14:7:4: The hot air is blown in to the downstairs rooms via a louvered vent.

14:7:5:1: These louvered vents tend to be uncontrollable due to :-

14:7:5:2: The levers that control them are broken or bent and jammed.

14:7:5:3: The louvered shutters tend to be jammed and can not be moved.

14:7:5:4: The vents are loose and heat escapes into rooms where it is not required.

14:8:1: Apart from the louvered vents, the timer switch and the on/off switch the only form of control is a thermostat in the main room.

14:8:2:1: This means that the temperature of all the down stairs rooms is governed by the temperature in the main room.

14:8:2:2: It is unlikely that the temperature markings on the thermostat result in an accurate temperature setting.

14:8:3: Sometimes the children turn the thermostat up causing higher fuel bills for tenants.

14:9: In addition sound, including private conversations, carries from one room to another via the ducting.

14:10:1: There is no efficient filtering system to trap any dust particles. See appendix 18:7:B.

14:10:2:1: This leads to electrostatically charged dust particles being blown into the room. See appendix 8:2 and 8:3.

14:10:2:2: These particles, generally, having the same static charge don't form clumps and settle.

14:10:2:3: They remain suspended in the air to be breathed in by the household.

14:10:2:4: This is not the most healthy situation for household.

14:10:2:5: This also applies to smoke particles, pollen, etc. as these are also constantly circulated while the system is on.

14:10:2:6: This problem is recognised in that some new warm air systems have electronic filters fitted. Reference appendix 5:1 to 5:2.

14:10:2:7: The amount of dust that is circulated can be judged by the quantity that is attracted to other electrostatically charged items; television screens, polished surfaces, etc.

14:10:2:8:1: It is possible that the filter grids should have foam filters fitted to trap smaller particles. See appendix 18:7:B.

14:10:2:8:2: In all known cases this is not so.

14:10:2:8:3: Even if the filter grids where fitted with foam filters the dust particles would, in most cases being so small, pass through. Filters should be to mirofilteration to BS5415. See appendix 18:7:B.

14:10:2:9:1: The filters, an inadequate wire mesh, are cleaned by a contractor on behalf of the Council.

14:10:2:9:2: Some tenants fear a build of dust on the filter may increase the risk of:-

14:10:2:9:3: Dust igniting and causing fires.

14:10:2:9:4: Reducing the airflow causing the build up fumes.

14:11: There are no known manuals for the heating system which results in tenants being unsure when the filters should be cleaned, how to light the burner or how to use the system economically.

14:12:1: The gas pilot can be difficult to light. See appendix 18:9:A.

14:12:2: It may take a number of attempts before it is lit properly.

14:12:3: Buttons that turn the pilot on have to be pressed hard for about thirty seconds to a minute before it will light properly.

14:13: Some pilot lights of the gas system have been known to blow out.

14:14: There is no evidence to support the rumour that a contract between the Gas Board and Electric Board at the time of construction prevented tenants from having the choice of gas water heating.

14:15:1: It has been said that some units blow cold air, and dust, into the stairwell.

14:15:2: This causes higher fuel bills and greater problems with dust for these tenants.

14:16: Some people on lower incomes spend twice as much of their income on fuel compared with those on higher incomes. See appendix 15:2.

14:17: Vacuuming can result in more dust being circulated in the rooms. See appendix 8:2 and 8:3.

14:18: Compared to a conventional gas boiler over fifteen years old, savings could be as great as 35 pence in the pound, 35%. The extra cost of a condensing boiler is usually repaid in two to four years. See appendix 18:10:B.

14:19: For a description of the warm gas air system see appendix 5:1 to 5:2.

14:20: The construction is described in more detail in relation to the heat loss of the properties in the appendix, reference 3:1 to 3:6 and 4:1 to 4:10.