Planning to decarbonise school buildings

The government’s Heat & Building Strategy accepts that public sector organisations, including schools, will require new specialist skills and expertise to decarbonise infrastructure and better manage operational energy use. With around 40% of UK greenhouse gas emissions being accounted for by heating, cooling, and lighting the built environment, the government has said it is ‘essential that the public sector demonstrate leadership and drive down emissions by using credible and consistent approaches to decarbonise the public sector estate.’
Achieving net zero by 2050 is expected to come through improving building insulation, switching to low-carbon heating sources when it is time for heating systems to be replaced, implementing smart technology and installing low-carbon heating in new buildings. Schools are also expected to monitor their energy use and set targets and plans to reduce emissions over the next five years, with ‘consistent and coherent’ reporting.

Currently, the government favours air source heat pump (ASHP) based applications as the simplest and most cost-effective answer to reducing energy consumption, for less CO2 production and lower long-term operational costs. The high-temperature demands of commercial hot water systems do however curtail the current generation of heat pumps as a singular response, with existing, poorly insulated buildings further reducing efficiencies. For this reason, schools faced with delivering decarbonisation goals within the proposed next five year period will need to consider more complex hybrid systems, or if on gas, look to solar thermal as a practical way to reduce energy use and decarbonise their buildings.
Faced with varied building stock and fluctuating user demands from showers, washbasins and kitchens, as well as complex space heating demands, applications will vary dramatically across each bespoke case, making decisions on decarbonisation all the more complex and difficult without specialist support. Consulting with Adveco’s expert sales and engineering staff can help you truly understand your needs, limitations and the options best suited to your bespoke situation.

Talk to us about a free site survey, heat pumps, solar thermal and electric or gas water heating and get your decarbonisation plan on track.

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