HVAC SYSTEMS


kilowatts of total heating capacity. In reality, however, the demand across all those houses will never peak at the same time – so a shared heat network can operate at a much lower total capacity. The same applies to hospitals; a single centralised energy centre can be much more efficient than multiple standalone systems. In the NHS, heat networks can be implemented at


different scales: n On a single NHS site – a ‘campus network’, where multiple hospital buildings share heating from a central energy centre.


n Across an NHS Trust – a district heating system serving multiple hospitals or healthcare sites within a Trust.


n At city scale – connecting NHS sites to large-scale urban heat networks, powered by heat pumps, waste heat, or other low-carbon sources.


Case study: OPDC heat network and Central Middlesex Hospital A ‘real-world’ example of heat networks in action is the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) heat network in London, which is expected to deliver 95 GWh of heat across five phases between 2026 and 2040.4


This system will capture waste heat from


local data centres, initially at 30-40 °C, and upgrade it to 65 °C for distribution across the district. One of the key beneficiaries of this system will be Central Middlesex Hospital.


By tapping into this low-carbon heat source, the hospital will reduce its reliance on gas boilers, requiring only minor on-site heating upgrades to meet its operational needs. This integrated heat network approach demonstrates how hospitals can reduce carbon emissions while maintaining reliability. Even after de-steaming, many NHS buildings still


operate at 85 °C for heating. A heat network like OPDC will allow hospitals to meet their high-temperature heating requirements while relying on a more sustainable source. This example illustrates how heat networks combined with heat pumps offer a flexible pathway to decarbonisation – without requiring a complete overhaul of legacy heating systems. For NHS Trusts looking to implement heat networks, a


key consideration is how they will integrate with existing heating and cooling infrastructure. In some cases, heat networks can fully replace gas-fired heating systems, but in others, hospitals may still need to retain on-site back- up capacity. Even when part of a district heat network,


By adopting data-driven energy solutions, Carrier says NHS estates can cut carbon emissions while improving patient comfort and operational efficiency.


What lies beneath?


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www.harperwater.com • info@harperwater.com October 2025 Health Estate Journal 69 09/09/2024 15:14


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