The £40 Monthly Heating Bill Revolution
A retired couple from Essex have achieved what many would consider impossible in today's energy crisis - they're now heating their entire home for as little as £40 per month thanks to an innovative data centre installed in their garden shed.
Terrence and Lesley Bridges, aged 76 and 75 respectively, have become the first people in the United Kingdom to trial this groundbreaking scheme that replaces their traditional gas boiler with miniature computers generating usable heat.
How The Garden Data Centre Works
The revolutionary system, housed in their eight by six foot garden shed, contains more than 500 computer banks that generate substantial heat during operation. This heat is captured and efficiently channelled into the couple's hot water and central heating system.
Before the installation on December 3, 2024, Mr Bridges was facing staggering monthly energy costs of £375 for their two-bedroom bungalow in Braintree, Essex. Now, their bills have plummeted to between £40 and £70 monthly, representing savings of over £300.
"I haven't got to worry about whether I can afford to turn the heating up because now I can," the retired RAF sergeant explained. "My wife, Lesley, suffers with spinal stenosis and when it gets too cold, her back locks up. We need heat and this is why I used to spend a lot of money heating the bungalow."
Broader Implications For UK Households
This pioneering project forms part of UK Power Networks' SHIELD initiative, specifically designed to help low-income households transition to net zero while tackling fuel poverty. The HeatHub data centre was developed by technology company Thermify, while the Bridges were introduced to the scheme through their housing association, Eastlight Community Homes.
Mr Bridges expressed particular enthusiasm about the environmental benefits: "Having them in warehouses, I think what a waste because you're losing all that heat when you could be heating properties up."
The couple also have solar panels installed on their roof as part of the comprehensive eco-friendly package. Their entire bungalow now maintains consistent warmth without the cold spots they previously experienced.
Travis Theune, CEO and co-founder of Thermify, highlighted the significance of their innovation: "You can do clean energy or you can do cheap energy - it has been challenging to provide clean and affordable power. This solution provides an opportunity to do that. The goal of the company and our mission state is to reduce and eliminate fuel poverty in the UK."
Industry experts are watching this trial closely, with plans already underway to scale the technology. Jack McKellar, UK Power Networks innovation programme manager, confirmed ambitious expansion plans: "Backed by Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund, we aim to scale this up to 100,000 units annually by 2030."
Daniel Greenwood from Eastlight Community Homes added that following the successful trial at the Bridges' property, they're preparing to roll out this initiative to a further 50 homes in the project's next phase.
