BOILERS, PUMPS & VALVES


SUSTAINABILITY HEATS UP AT DAVID LLOYD CLUBS


Tim Rook, chief markets


officer, examines how Clade Engineering Systems helped support David Lloyd Clubs’ decarbonation strategy, reducing both energy and carbon emissions


Tim Rook D


avid Lloyd Clubs, which operates 134 clubs across the UK and Europe, has placed sustainability at the top of its agenda, stating: ‘We’re as committed to having a positive impact on our environment as we are to enhancing the lives of our members. This is woven into the fabric of our business, from taking clear steps to move to carbon net zero to partnering with national fundraising campaigns’. To achieve net zero the company aims to


transition energy usage from fossil fuels to electricity across its portfolio, deploying renewable technologies before eliminating Scope 3 emissions (i.e. emissions from its supply chain). Its near- term and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets and its net-zero science-based target have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Actions – including investing £20 million in energy efficient technology and utility-related initiatives, switching to 100% renewably sourced electricity in the UK, and overhauling its heating and cooling systems – have resulted in David Lloyd


Clubs seeing a reduction of 10,000+ tonnes CO2e. Clade Engineering Systems recently worked with


David Lloyd Clubs at its Harrogate site in North Yorkshire, where we replaced the existing gas boiler heating system with a low carbon air source heat pump solution designed to significantly reduce


Acoustic fencing helps minimise noise


perspective. The site includes a gym, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, crèche and multiple fitness studios, all of which create substantial and continuous heating demands. The client’s goal was to reduce carbon emissions


from the site by 254 tonnes annually, while ensuring there was no disruption to members and no reduction in heating or hot water performance. Following completion of the initial feasibility


Clade Engineering Systems replaced the existing gas boiler heating system with a low carbon air source heat pump solution


carbon emissions while maintaining reliable heating and hot water provision throughout the club.


UP TO THE CHALLENGE The Harrogate club presented an interesting challenge from an energy and operational


study, we developed the project through to RIBA Stage 4, producing detailed technical drawings, specifications and heat load calculations for the retrofit installation. We also managed the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) application process on behalf of the client, securing approval without any requirement for upgrades to the local electricity grid. Planning permission was subsequently obtained. One of the key considerations during the planning phase was minimising operational noise due to the site’s proximity to local housing. To address this, we incorporated acoustic fencing into the design and adjusted the controls strategy to further reduce sound levels during night-time operation.


IMPROVING EFFICIENCY THROUGH INTELLIGENT HEAT PUMP DESIGN To decarbonise the site and achieve the targeted carbon savings, we installed two Clade Rowan R290 commercial air source heat pumps, each capable of delivering 240kW at a 60˚C flow temperature, even in ambient temperatures as low as -5˚C. The Rowan range uses natural refrigerant propane (R290), which offers an ultra-low


8ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Summer 2026 www.essmag.co.uk


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