Sustainability
despite the willingness our survey respondents showed for embarking on heat decarbonisation projects. If the decision is to upgrade to more
efficient gas condensing boilers or direct fired water heaters, use the opportunity to prepare the heating system for the integration of low temperature heat pumps at a future stage. Addressing the system’s distribution
pipework and heat emitters during the replacement process will allow the system to operate more efficiently at a maximum flow temperature of 55°C (or lower), in line with Building Regulations. This has the added benefit of allowing the condensing boilers and water heaters to operate in condensing mode, where they achieve their maximum efficiencies.
Plotting pathways to net zero Replacing existing gas-fired boilers and/ or water heaters with heat pumps is the ultimate goal. When planning this phase, affordability, available budget and time, space, and electrical capacity as well as running costs should all be considered at the outset (see Checklist). In harder-to-treat care home building
stock, where the existing building thermal envelope cannot be improved, one achievable option might be to take a hybrid approach as part of a phased pathway to full decarbonisation. A hybrid heat pump system that combines
heat pumps with gas-fired boilers and/or water heaters will enable a large portion of the heat in the building to be decarbonised while meeting safe operation requirements. As such, it is a fast, affordable and efficient solution to partial decarbonisation, particularly in care homes with complex refurbishment challenges. While this approach would leave some reliance on gas, these can be swapped out at a later stage. The aim should be to maximise heat
pump contribution performance where possible, while taking all project limitations into account. Involving your solutions provider of choice from the outset is advisable as they can provide guidance on these aspects so that the system is designed to maximise the efficiency of both technologies.
Turnkey solutions Whether planning to install a complete plant room to serve a new care home or refurbish the heating and hot water system in an existing building, it is worth exploring
Checklist when installing ASHPs
n Assess the current heating and hot water system’s energy consumption to allow for an informed optimisation strategy at design stage.
n Identify if any areas of the building are currently over heating or have inadequate heating throughout the year, so that these areas can be optimised during the design stage.
n Can the current heat emitters be optimised for lower flow temperatures?
n Is there adequate external space to allow the ASHPs to be installed?
n Is there sufficient electrical capacity and space for the new ASHPs to be installed?
n If not, have you submitted your
the use of turnkey, offsite manufactured solutions. Certain specialist offsite manufacturers
can produce modular HVAC subassemblies or full packaged plant rooms that ensure faster installation with zero disruption. The simpler installation minimises reliance on skilled labour in peak periods. At the same time, quality assurance is enhanced and under greater control and scrutiny due to the improved factory control procedures.
Manufacturer support As care homes come under increased pressure to adopt sustainable practices, understanding the options for improving the efficiency of their heating and hot water systems and implementing renewable technologies is key. Quick wins to reduce energy demand and heat losses should be acted on now. Upgrading any inefficient equipment with more energy-efficient technology might be an appropriate early stage in the longer decarbonisation journey – but preparations should be made to make the system heat pump ready. Replacing gas boilers and water heaters with renewable and low-to-zero carbon technologies will enable care homes to make more significant progress to decarbonising heat in their buildings but will likely require thorough planning. Each project and building will have
its own requirements, so it is advisable to consult with the experts. Experienced heating and hot water solutions providers can help break down the complexities for care homes by clearly explaining the options
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application to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO)? Where necessary, applications should be made at the early stages so that the electrical infrastructure suitability can be assessed for the increased electrical load requirements. This will help keep the project on track.
n Does your budget allow for 100 per cent of the required heating power to be via ASHPs?
n Have you considered the potential for any other renewable technologies to further increase the build’s energy performance and reduce energy costs? Examples might include Solar PV, battery storage, and solar thermal.
and outlining the associated carbon, energy, and cost impacts of each. Working together, we can help ensure that the right decision is made to meet the specific needs of your building to set it on its path to net zero. n
Andy Green
Andy is an accomplished technology leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering strategic technical solutions across the UK and Ireland. As head of technical solutions at Baxi, Andy leads cross- functional teams in designing and implementing scalable, customer- centric low carbon heating and hot water solutions that enable businesses and organisations such as care homes to decarbonise. With deep expertise in solution engineering, stakeholder engagement, and technical strategy, Andy plays a pivotal role in aligning technology with business goals.
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