HVAC SYSTEMS As NHS Trusts continue their Net Zero journey, heat
networks will play a critical role in ensuring that hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities can access low- carbon heating at scale. By integrating heat pumps, heat recovery, and renewable energy, the NHS can transition to a resilient, cost-effective, and sustainable energy model for the future. To get the NHS to Net Zero by 2040, the role of manufacturers like Carrier is evolving beyond simply supplying equipment. Traditionally, manufacturers became involved at later stages of a project – typically during the procurement and installation phase. However, given the complexity of heat pump and heat network integration, manufacturers are now playing a more active role from the outset, providing technical guidance, system optimisation, and long-term monitoring.
Carrier’s AquaForce 30XWH fixed-speed water-cooled screw liquid chiller and water-sourced heat pump.
hospitals are critical services. They must have back-up heating in case of supply failures. So, while heat networks can reduce the need for on-site equipment, NHS estates may still need localised heat pumps or back-up boilers for resilience. The best approach depends on each hospital’s energy
profile, available grid capacity, and the scale of the heat network. In many cases, a hybrid strategy – where heat networks provide the primary heating supply, with heat pumps handling peak loads or backup capacity – is the most practical solution. Despite their benefits, heat networks are not without
challenges. Key issues include: n Upfront investment – installing a heat network requires significant capital expenditure, although long-term savings often outweigh the initial costs.
n Regulatory barriers – the UK’s heat network zoning policy, which mandates that buildings in designated areas connect to district heating, is still evolving.
n Tariff structures and pricing – NHS Trusts must ensure that heat network tariffs are cost-effective and transparent, preventing monopoly pricing by network operators.
Regulatory frameworks are improving, but NHS Trusts must carefully evaluate the financial and operational models of heat networks before committing to large-scale deployments.
Scaling heat networks across the NHS The NHS is already taking steps to expand its use of heat networks, supported by funding initiatives such as the Green Heat Network Fund,5
Early-stage involvement is the key to success One of the biggest challenges in NHS decarbonisation is ensuring that heating and cooling systems are designed correctly from the start. Manufacturers need to be involved at the concept stage, not just when the project is going out to tender. The reality is that no one understands the capabilities and operation of heat pumps better than the manufacturers. If brought in too late, mistakes can be made in system design that affect performance and efficiency.
Heat pumps are not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. The efficiency and effectiveness of a system depends on multiple factors, including: n The type of heat pump used (air-source, water-source, ground-source).
n The operating temperatures required (high-temperature retrofits vs. low-temperature new builds).
n Integration with existing systems (e.g. heat networks and back-up boilers).
By engaging with NHS Trusts and consultants early, manufacturers can help shape system designs to ensure that decarbonisation strategies are practical, cost- effective, and future-proofed. Once installed, heat pump and heat network systems require ongoing performance monitoring to maintain efficiency and reliability. Without proper oversight, systems can underperform, leading to higher energy costs and lower-than-expected carbon savings. We need to move away from a ‘fit and forget’ mentality. Heat pump systems require ongoing monitoring, optimisation, and future planning. Without this, hospitals risk efficiency losses, and in a worst-case scenario, they may not achieve the carbon savings they set out to deliver. Key areas where manufacturers can support NHS Trusts
and the Public Sector
Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).6 For hospitals looking to integrate heat networks, the key steps include: 1 Conducting a feasibility study – assessing heat demand, available infrastructure, and potential integration with existing heating systems.
2 Evaluating heat sources – determining whether the network will be powered by heat pumps, waste heat, or renewable energy.
3 Ensuring regulatory compliance – working with government and local authorities to align with heat network zoning policies.
4 Integrating on-site backup systems – designing a hybrid solution that balances network supply with on-site resilience.
70 Health Estate Journal October 2025
include: n Real-time performance tracking – ensuring that systems are operating at peak efficiency.
n Predictive maintenance – identifying potential failures before they impact hospital operations.
n Long-term system adaptation – optimising heating and cooling infrastructure as hospital energy needs evolve.
By working closely with NHS estates teams, manufacturers can ensure that HVAC systems are delivering on their Net Zero potential. One of the biggest barriers to heat pump adoption
in the NHS is the challenge of accurately evaluating financial and operational benefits. While heat pumps offer long-term cost savings, the upfront capital expenditure can be a hurdle. When NHS Trusts evaluate energy solutions, they rely on modelling and performance data, but the
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