Heat Pumps in Healthcare are the Catalyst for a Net-Zero NHS

Paul Burnett, Head of Decarbonisation and Energy Strategy at Johnson Controls UK&I, explores how the NHS can benefit from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in a recent edition of the Open Access Government publication, and outlines the efficiencies, sustainability, and financial gains of moving to heat pumps within the healthcare sector.

The UK’s carbon emissions are often attributed to transport, industry, and residential buildings. However, the healthcare sector, despite being a major contributor, is sometimes overlooked. According to the British Medical Association, the NHS alone accounts for 4-5% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, with NHS England responsible for 40% of public sector emissions. Addressing the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint is crucial for the nation’s transition to a more sustainable future and aligns with the NHS’ goal of becoming the world’s first net-zero national health service.

Amid strikes, inflation, and stretched resources, hospital trusts face challenges in prioritising energy efficiency. To achieve net-zero goals, the NHS should take advantage of government grants, transition from gas boilers to heat pumps, and collaborate with trusted efficiency partners in order to achieve net-zero goals. 

"The best partners will design and install heat pumps based on the business and building needs, providing the highest value in terms of cost and efficiency."

Key issues raised in the article include:

• The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
  As organisations need to apply to the scheme with a proposed decarbonisation project to win funding, success hinges on the knowledge of internal staff or partnerships with external experts.
    
• Heat pumps in healthcare: An efficient solution
  Now able to work at higher temperatures, heat pumps are a great option for healthcare settings where there is a high demand for hot water at peak times.
    
• Why use heat pumps? What are the benefits?
  Heat pumps offer the NHS long-term cost and maintenance savings compared with traditional boilers, and make it easier to monitor, track and reduce energy for continued savings.
    
• Trusted energy efficiency partners
  Working with energy efficiency partners that audit current operations, consult on how sites can decarbonise, and advise on how to capitalise on new energy and cost savings is vital. By choosing a reputable partner, such as Johnson Controls, trusts can implement systems across a whole suite of different buildings with varying needs and set a new standard through people, technology, and processes.

 
To read the full article on the Open Access Government website, please click here. 

To find our more about Johnson Controls' Decarbonisation Services, please click here.