EFFICIENCY IN MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS Smarter heating for hospitals and schools T


Gareth Ash, marketing manager at Danfoss, explores how small adjustments can make a meaningful impact in decarbonising commercial buildings – from NHS facilities and educational institutions to offices and retail spaces – and why improving how energy flows throughout a building offers one of the greatest opportunities for efficiency gains


he NHS is the UK’s largest single public energy user, with annual energy costs exceeding £1.4 billion , more than doubling since 2019. When combined with schools, these institutions account


for around 70% of energy consumption across the public sector’s buildings. As energy prices continue to rise and the UK accelerates towards its net-zero targets, estate managers face increasing pressure to modernise infrastructure and improve energy efficiency. Optimising a building’s HVAC system alone can reduce energy usage by an average of 22% per building, often with a payback time of just two years Hydronic balancing plays a crucial role in achieving these efficiency gains. By ensuring that water used for heating is evenly and efficiently distributed throughout a building, hydronic balancing guarantees that each radiator or heating circuit receives precisely the right amount at the right time. This avoids overheating in some rooms and underheating in others. Despite this, more than 80% of the UK’s existing heating systems are poorly balanced, leaving vast potential for improvement. This is particularly critical in hospitals and schools, where maintaining stable indoor temperatures directly supports patient wellbeing, pupil concentration, and overall comfort. In these environments, older systems often struggle to deliver consistent temperatures across multiple floors or wings – leading to cold spots, wasted energy, and increased operational costs. Across Europe, forward-thinking hospitals are


already demonstrating what can be achieved by modernising outdated systems. At Sygehus Sønderjylland in Sønderborg, Denmark, new state-of-the-art technology from Danfoss Climate Solutions has enabled the hospital to respond to the energy crisis with confidence. The site is replacing its old gas boilers with two modern heat pumps supported by multiple Danfoss components that balance heating and cooling systems effectively. Alongside improved comfort and reduced energy costs, the hospital will also become an energy provider. This example illustrates how strategic HVAC upgrades can strengthen resilience and protect patient care even during periods of inflation and energy volatility. A more detailed look at this project is available here: https://www. danfoss.com/en-gb/about-danfoss/news/dcs/ state-of-the-art-hvac-tech-helps-hospital-thrive- in-energy-crisis/


Static balancing: tried, tested, and cost-effective


Static hydronic balancing uses manual balancing valves, like Danfoss’ MSV-BD, combined with mechanical radiator thermostats set for full-load conditions to regulate and maintain the flow at the set value. It is a straightforward solution ideally suited to systems where the building load is relatively stable and predictable. Static balancing is great for retrofitting hospitals and schools where radiator valves without pre-setting functionality may already be installed. However, while cost-effective, static systems do not adapt to fluctuating heating demands, making them inefficient during partial load conditions (spring and autumn). Nevertheless, where the heating load is well understood, static balancing offers a good balance of performance and cost.


Dynamic balancing: precision under varying loads


Dynamic hydronic balancing addresses the limitations of static systems by maintaining consistent flow rates even when demand fluctuates. Using pressure-independent control valves (PICV) or differential pressure controllers, dynamic balancing ensures that each radiator


18 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2025


or circuit receives the required water to deliver optimal performance under full or partial load conditions. Achieving this requires control at the terminal unit level, which can be challenging in retrofit projects where system drawings may be outdated or incomplete. Nevertheless, implementing dynamic hydronic balancing using pressure-independent control valves can significantly improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. To fully optimise a heating system, real-time


information about system performance is essential. Building operators need transparency regarding energy flows and an efficient means of adapting the system to changes in usage patterns or building design. Digitalising the actuators is key to achieving this level of control, enabling a move towards intelligent, energy- efficient buildings.


Benefits of modulating room temperature control


Modulating room temperature control further enhances efficiency. Stable temperatures improve comfort perception while allowing reductions in heating setpoints or increases in cooling without compromising comfort. Variable flow systems, commonly used in commercial buildings, adjust water flow based on load, improving energy efficiency but complicating balancing. This is where advanced pressure- independent control solutions such as the Danfoss AB-QM valve make a significant difference. The AB-QM combines a control valve and a differential pressure controller in a single unit, automatically absorbing pressure


fluctuations while accurately determining the actual flow. The design flow is set as a percentage of the maximum flow, reducing the control valve stroke and ensuring fully pressure-independent flow control with an authority of 100%. By maintaining precise flow at every terminal unit under all operating conditions, AB-QM enables highly stable room temperatures, maximising comfort and energy efficiency simultaneously.


HVAC 4.0 in smart buildings


Reliable and accurate pressure-independent control valves are the enablers of HVAC 4.0 in smart buildings. When integrated with digital actuators such as the NovoCon® S IoT- enabled device, hydronic HVAC systems can be fully controlled via Building Management Systems, providing real-time data for active energy management. Remote access enables predictive maintenance and continuous commissioning, reducing operational costs and laying the foundation for long-term energy efficiency. Digitalisation also delivers advanced temperature control, flexibility during refurbishment, time savings during installation and commissioning, and targeted, predictive maintenance, all of which contribute to cost savings over the lifecycle of the building.


By embracing dynamic hydronic balancing and digitalised control, building operators can achieve measurable reductions in energy consumption, optimise system performance, and position their estates to meet both current efficiency targets and future sustainability goals.


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