SHELTERED housing tenants in Aberaeron say they are being plagued by problems with their heating as winter approaches.

They claim replacement radiators at Penrodyn have caused "disquiet and discomfort" among the 30 people living there and that Tai Ceredigion – who manage the complex – have given them no idea how long the work will last.

Rodney Hodern, who has lived at Penrodyn for the past three years, said in a letter to the housing association that he was "puzzled" the radiators were being replaced.

“The former system seemed to work well and had, as far as I can see, many years’ service left,” he added.

“The replacement radiators are almost identical to the seemingly satisfactory units which are being scrapped.

“This must come at great expense to Tai Ceredigion since over 100 radiators are being replaced together with many metres of copper piping and a considerable number of valves. I would like to know the cost of this change.”

But what particularly angers residents is the time of year work on the heating system has commenced.

“At a meeting back in February 2017 we voted unanimously for the work to take place during the summer,” said one woman.

“We didn’t hear anything else until getting letters on 5 September of this year – and work began five days later. There was no consultation at all – they have completely ignored our wishes.”

A Tai Ceredigion spokesperson said: “An upgrade of this nature is a huge undertaking with contractors having to negotiate access to 32 homes – as well as communal areas - to install new radiators and controls.

“Tai Ceredigion have been communicating with tenants in order to keep them informed of developments.

“A temporary boiler was set up from the outset, and with the exception of very minor disruption, the system has been running smoothly.”

See this week’s South Ceredigion papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now