HEAT PUMP GUIDE


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Heat pumps drive smarter low carbon hospital heating


Heat pumps can provide greener, lower-carbon infrastructures for hospitals with tangible data to back up performance metrics. Evidence from European as well as UK projects show they are fast becoming a cornerstone in the decarbonisation of healthcare estates


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cknowledging the scale of its environmental impact – the NHS is one of the UK’s largest carbon contributors, but it is playing a leading


role in addressing the impacts of climate change. Recognising the need to align with worldwide sustainability goals whilst mitigating the effects of climate change on public health in 2020 the NHS became the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero emissions by 2040. Energy saving initiatives cover many visible


projects. But the focus on transitioning to low carbon technologies also addresses the non-visible projects such as the HVAC infrastructure. With a move aware from gas and less reliance on fossil fuels, there is a move towards the installation of air source heat pumps (ASHPs). One of the key trends is replacing aged chillers with heat pump chillers to enable simultaneous heating and cooling, which is one of the strongest arguments for heat pumps in hospitals as this is exactly where they outperform traditional boiler- chiller configurations. The presence of RACC (Reinforced Autoclaved


Aerated Concrete) in some health estates has created an unexpected opportunity to migrate towards a more energy efficient HVAC infrastructure. The associated costs of removing RACC has triggered the re-building of some facilities. One of the latest ‘fit for future’ facilities is the new outpatient facility at Stoke-on-Trent’s Haywood Hospital in Burslem – part of the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT). The previous outpatients building at Haywood, demolished in 2023, contained RAAC within its roof. Whilst MPFT was allocated £17.4 million through NHS England’s national RAAC eradication programme to conduct this work, the Trust took the decision to replace the facility. By leveraging the latest technologies to maximise gains in energy management, efficient construction methods are being used, and the expanse of the


roof top space will be accommodating 820m² of Photovoltaic Panels (PV) and Aermec heat pumps have been selected for the provision of air conditioning, space heating and domestic hot water.


Collaborative approach


The selection process resulted in 4-pipe multipurpose units, 2-pipe reversible Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and high temperature water source heat pumps (WSHPs). The multipurpose NRP units were specified as part of the MEP design as they are the ideal choice for modern buildings that have a heating and cooling requirement all year round. The 4-pipe system comprises independent


circuits which enables it to deliver heating and cooling at the same time or separately, offering flexibility, making the system particularly suitable for buildings such as hospitals with mixed use spaces and varying degrees of temperature and seasonal fluctuations. As well as flexibility other key advantages include higher efficiencies which lowers operating costs, simplified plant design therefore reduction in installation & maintenance costs and time, and a reduction of CO2 emissions compared to more traditional heating and colling systems. The NRP is a multi-function unit that can accommodate simultaneous or independent


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production of low temperature hot water (LTHW) and chilled water (CHW). The inclusion of compact axial fans enables high airflows with low static pressure and the use of scroll compressors offer excellent efficiencies at partial load – ideal in hospital with variable demand and provide reduced sound emissions – quieter than reciprocating compressors. The NRP’s high yield, low electricity absorption and ability to help meet the low carbon requirements of the brief offered significant advantages over other products.


Hot water and a/c


The 4-pipe Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) unit generates primary temperatures of 45ºC in heating mode and 6ºC in cooling mode. The equipment is connected to a thermal store for each water medium to provide the required cooling and heating. The chilled water thermal store is also connected to the mechanical ventilation cooling coils. The low temperature hot water thermal store also serves the mechanical ventilation heating coils, underfloor heating manifolds and duct mounted heater batteries. The heating circuit has also been extended to serve two indoor WWB water source heat pumps (WSHPs) to enable generation of domestic hot water up to 80°C and arranged with a thermal store. The WWB produces high temperature water from


a low or medium temperature source, directly or indirectly via a cascade arrangement. It has been designed with the aim of guaranteeing high efficiency at full and partial loads. The units wide operating range enables integration with numerous applications and can be used as an alternative to boilers and conventional systems that are used to produce high temperature hot water. The WWB is designed with highly efficient


compressors and the plate heat exchangers have reduced pressure drop. There are two independent heating circuits which ensure maximum reliability of the system and electrical panel. A slide-out system enables the unit to be opened from the right or left. An additional NRG air source heat pump serving the


low temperature hot water system (LTHW) is being used to maintain the temperatures of the system during peak winter conditions, and acts as redundancy, ensuring continued operation of the building. The NHS’s goal is to be a low carbon, climate


resilient health service that yields significant health benefits for the communities it serves. The Haywood Hospital is a prime example of what can be achieved and provides a benchmark for others to follow.


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