HVAC FOR SCHOOLS


Right: A hybrid system can provide a practicable solution to overcome retrofi t challenges in schools


W


ith the government confi rming no further investment in the public sector decarbonisation scheme


beyond existing Phase 3 and 4 projects, school estate managers may be questioning their next steps on their net zero journey. Let’s consider some of the achievable actions.


1. Energy Monitoring


You don’t always need a huge grant to make a sizeable diff erence. A good starting point is to help school estate managers understand how and where energy is being used in their buildings and how well the heating systems are working. This information will make it easier to identify quick wins for immediate energy savings and to set longer term decarbonisation plans. Controls have an important impact on comfort and


effi ciency, yet they are rarely serviced, which can lead to systems running 24/7 at maximum capacity. A robust control strategy will include accurate time and temperature settings to avoid unnecessary energy use at weekends and during holidays. Where appropriate, adding weather compensation control and zonal heating will ensure that the system adjusts to external temperatures and allow schools to heat only the areas being used. Are draughts a problem? Where budgets permit, school estate managers would be advised to address the building fabric to prevent heat loss, using measures such as insulation or triple glazing, and to check the pipework lagging.


2. Forward planning


Conducting regular surveys to understand the condition of the plant and heating system serving the building will often uncover opportunities for system optimisation and support forward planning. It will also help avoid the rushed, like-for-like replacements that frequently inherit all the ineffi ciencies of the old system.


This in turn will make it easier to plot actionable


pathways to net zero. Ultimately, the goal is to move away from fossil fuels towards an all-electric heating and hot water system, typically involving low-carbon heat pumps and supported by complementary renewable technologies such as solar PV, solar thermal and batteries. However, the reality is that boiler replacements


are still a popular option in schools for system refurbishments. Where heat pumps are not currently deemed viable, upgrading to modern condensing models will still deliver important effi ciency gains of up to 20%.


But it is important we encourage schools to use this opportunity to prepare the system for future heat pump integration. A practical measure would be to address the system’s distribution pipework


20 April 2026 Above: Billesley Primary School installation


Above Right: Gas 120 Ace boilers at Highlees Primary School


and heat emitters to allow the system to operate at a maximum fl ow temperature of 55°C (or lower), in line with Building Regulations. This will make it heat pump ready while allowing the condensing boilers and water heaters to operate in condensing mode for optimal system effi ciency.


3. Hybrid approach


Where an all-electric approach is not considered viable, a hybrid approach might be a feasible next step as an early stage of decarbonisation. Integrating an ASHP with existing gas-fi red boilers and/or water heaters will enable a large portion of the heat in the school building to be decarbonised while meeting safe operation requirements. As such, it may provide a more practicable option in schools with more complex refurbishment challenges. While this approach would leave some reliance on gas, these technologies can be swapped out at a later stage.


4. Education is Key


Schools should be encouraged to teach staff and students how the systems operate. When they understand the “why” behind energy effi ciency, they can apply those habits at work and even take those savings tips back to their own homes.


5. Ask the experts


In our research report into decarbonising heat in schools, school leaders highlighted a need for further technical advice to achieve heat decarbonisation ambitions and improve heating effi ciency. With decades of experience in providing heating and hot water solutions for schools from our wide product portfolio, we at Baxi look forward to working with consultant engineers and contractors to support school estate managers in achieving their sustainability goals. From advising on immediate quick wins to providing pre-contract design support to help determine decarbonisation roadmaps to providing service packages for ongoing maintenance, we look forward to collaborating on the right solutions for each school building.


www.heatingandventilating.net


Lessons in planning for Net Zero


While we await government updates on green fi nance solutions for schools, Neville Radford, specifi cation and sector manager at Baxi, discusses the practical support that the heating industry can off er to move the education estate closer to their ambitious 2030 Net Zero target


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