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Modular heat pumps: high-rise electrification needs more than a roof-only strategy
High-rise rooftop space is at a premium, with plant, PV, amenities and biodiversity measures all competing for space. Matt Maleki, high rise business development manager at Carrier Commercial UK&I, explains why successful electrification demands an approach that goes beyond the roof, with integrated systems thinking, early collaboration and the right combination of technologies for each building
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t’s time to stop thinking of the roof as the default destination for high-rise electrification. For architects and developers, where and how heat is generated has consequences far beyond the building services strategy. It can affect structural loading, plantroom allocation, riser capacity, acoustics, façade design and space for other priorities, from photovoltaic (PV) and biodiversity measures to amenity areas. Electrification is therefore becoming as much an architectural coordination challenge as an M&E one.
The roof is no longer the obvious answer
Air-source heat pumps remain an effective solution for many projects, but roof space is increasingly contested. Developers are seeking to incorporate renewable generation, green infrastructure and usable amenity space while also meeting planning, acoustic, structural and maintenance requirements. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards
have accelerated the transition towards lower- carbon heating, more efficient building services and integrated system performance. The question now is how to electrify a building as a whole. Where possible, the energy strategy should be considered alongside the architecture from the outset, rather than fitted into whatever space remains after the building has been designed. High-rise developments require a broader view of
how energy is generated, distributed and managed. Roof space may be constrained, but so too may plantrooms, risers and access routes. A residential tower will have a different load profile from a mixed-use development, hotel, or commercial building, while existing buildings face limitations imposed by their infrastructure. The starting point should therefore be the building
itself. What are its heating, cooling and domestic hot water requirements? Where and when do loads occur? How much roof and plantroom capacity is available? Could heat be generated or recovered elsewhere?
The building should determine the technology
For some developments, air-source heat pumps will remain the answer. Where rooftop space is under pressure, water-source heat pumps could shift heat generation to an energy centre, freeing up valuable roof space. Larger schemes may benefit from a modular approach, distributing capacity according to the building’s requirements and providing flexibility
26 October 2026
Above: Matt Maleki, high rise business development manager and IAQ specialist, Carrier Commercial HVAC
for phased projects or for future expansion. This is where a broad technology portfolio becomes valuable. Rather than approaching every project with a preferred solution, manufacturers can help design teams evaluate modular air-source, water-source, heat-recovery and hybrid strategies against the building’s specific characteristics. For Carrier, the role is evolving from equipment supplier towards trusted advisor, with a toolkit of complementary technologies. High-temperature air-source heat pumps can support domestic hot water production and low-temperature hot water services in residential and mixed-use developments. Larger schemes may benefit from scalable air-source systems, while water-source heat pumps can provide greater flexibility where rooftop constraints are significant. Looking ahead, continued development of R290-based heat pump technologies may further expand the range of low- GWP options available to designers. The objective is to identify the combination of technologies that best supports the architectural vision, operational requirements and long-term performance of the building. The building should determine the technology, rather than the technology determining the building. Four-pipe polyvalent systems also have an important role. They can provide simultaneous heating and cooling while recovering energy that might otherwise be rejected, making them highly effective in the right application. However, simultaneous heating and cooling is not the defining requirement of every building. Depending on load profile, available heat sources and spatial constraints, an air-source strategy, water-source system or combination of technologies may provide a better overall outcome. Controls are also central to integrated system performance. Heating, cooling, ventilation and
domestic hot water demands are closely connected. The ability to monitor performance, respond to changing occupancy and environmental conditions, optimise energy use and identify emerging problems can be as important as the efficiency of the equipment generating the heat.
Why early collaboration matters
Early engagement is not simply about choosing equipment sooner. It allows architects and engineers to protect valuable roof space, coordinate façade design, address acoustic requirements, allocate plantroom space efficiently and ensure long-term maintenance access before these decisions become difficult or expensive to change. Working with us at this stage allows project teams to assess modular air-source, water-source and hybrid strategies before roof layouts, plantroom allocations and structural decisions become fixed. Plant strategy can then evolve alongside the architectural design, while maintenance access, future replacement and operational flexibility can be considered from the outset. For architects, this does not mean becoming
HVAC specialists or manufacturers dictating the design. It means bringing relevant expertise into the conversation early enough for energy strategy and architectural intent to develop together. Ultimately, high-rise electrification should not be
about how many heat pumps can be fitted onto the roof. It should be about integrating the right combination of technologies to meet operational needs while protecting the design, space and flexibility required throughout the building’s lifetime. Success demands earlier conversations, broader system thinking and a design toolkit capable of adapting to the architecture rather than asking the architecture to adapt to the technology.
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