PHAM NEWS | JUNE 2026 Light CommercialHeating 33


Helping GP surgeries to achieve net zero goals


The NHS has made a commitment to deliver the world’s fi rst net zero national health service by 2040. Andy Green, head of technical solutions at Baxi, discusses the role installers and heating manufacturers can play, and the importance of thorough planning and preparation.


for reaching net zero from its directly controlled emissions by 2040, and the emissions it can infl uence by 2045. The health service accounts for 4% of the UK’s total carbon footprint, with the NHS in England responsible for 40% of the public sector’s emissions. Primary care, which includes GP surgeries, accounts for nearly 25% of that total. With heating and hot water


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responsible for a signifi cant portion of the direct emissions in these buildings, replacing any carbon-intensive heat sources with cleaner renewable alternatives, such as heat pumps, is seen as a critical priority. And as there are over 6,000 GP surgeries in England alone, the majority of which operate out of older buildings where the heating system has seen better days, this off ers signifi cant opportunities for installers skilled in renewable light commercial retrofi t. Retrofi tting heat pumps in


older, less-insulated buildings can be more complex than in new build, often requiring a phased approach. Achieving optimal outcomes will therefore require eff ective planning. With that in mind, let’s consider the various steps involved and how early


Hybrid systems While moving directly to an all-electric heating system may not be considered feasible, a hybrid heat pump system combining heat pumps with existing boilers can often provide a fast, aff ordable solution in GP practices. This approach will enable a large portion of the heat in the building to be decarbonised while meeting safe operation requirements.


s part of its pledge to tackle climate change, the NHS has set ambitious targets


engagement between heating engineers and manufacturers will help GPs and the wider NHS tackle the heat pump retrofi t challenge.


Andy Green Baxi’s head of technical solutions


As GP practices are live environments, any disruption to day-to-day operations will need to be minimal


Feasibility survey Experienced manufacturers and heating solutions providers will be able to support installers by carrying out an initial feasibility survey to determine suitability. A good starting point is to understand where and when energy is used in the building. Considerations at this stage should include how the heat is currently distributed throughout the building, the fabric make-up, and heat emitter (radiator) sizing. This survey will include heat


loss calculations and indicate any improvements that may be required, such as insulation or radiator upgrades, as well as determining the electrical capacity of the site.


Boosting performance Reducing heat loss can signifi cantly reduce the size or capacity of the heat pump system, whilst careful selection and sizing of the heat emitter will enable the heat pump to operate at lower fl ow temperatures, increasing the Coeffi cient of Performance. Therefore, optimising the


building envelope for energy effi ciency will maximise the performance and effi ciency of


the heat pump system. This in turn will lower capital and operational expenditure costs.


Phased installation Understanding the available space, time, budget and any funding opportunities is critical to ensure the project is viable. For example, older surgeries may have limited outside space for the external units, which require careful siting to comply with regulations. Therefore it’s important to clarify this at the outset. As GP practices are live


environments, any disruption to day-to-day operations will need to be minimal. A phased retrofi t may therefore need to be considered and mapped out early on. A lack of funding can also be


a barrier to decarbonising GP practices, although a staged programme will allow GP partners and Trusts to budget ahead and spread the capital expenditure over a few years. Smaller GP practices in


England and Wales can receive government Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) funding of £7,500 to replace old boilers with heat pumps. The building must have a valid EPC, the system must have a maximum installation capacity of


45kWth, and installation must be carried out by an MCS- certifi ed installer.


System design support Once these factors have been considered, the next step is the design. Your chosen manufacturer or solutions provider should be able to provide pre-sales support by engineering a series of diff erent design options. This highly specialist


design service will enable GP customers to understand the energy, carbon and cost implications of each solution using predictive modelling. The benefi t to the GP partners or Trust is that it allows them to ensure that the best choices can be made within the project requirements and any possible constraints. For installers, the major


benefi ts are the time savings from removing the system design element and a clear understanding of the project phases that will enable more straightforward roadmapping and installation.


Early engagement Each project and GP practice will have its own requirements, so it pays to partner with a solutions provider who can provide expert end-to-end support. The ultimate aim is to achieve a high-performing, effi cient system that meets all project and regulatory requirements throughout its lifetime. Early engagement between


installer and manufacturer helps deliver this at every step from early feasibility and technical design support to specialist commissioning, aftersales service and ongoing maintenance care. Working together, we can support the NHS in preparing its GP surgeries for net zero. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/36


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