How Schools Can Reduce Energy Consumption Through Air Source Heat

With the impact of carbon emission and fossil fuels ever increasing, it is important for everyone to do their bit. A report by the Sustainable Development Commission on Carbon Footprint for Schools shows that schools produce 9.4 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. 

To help reduce the production of greenhouse gases, and reduce energy bills,  find out how an air source heat pump can benefit schools and the environment. 

Problems schools are facing with funding and heating

With energy bills on the rise, it’s going to be harder for schools to follow the 1974 Safety at Work Act. 

This can cause schools to have to cut important costs or even close. However, despite air source heating pumps being particularly expensive to install, the long term results allow you to save money and spend it where it’s most needed.

From poor insulation to no double glazing in schools, a significant amount of energy is wasted throughout the year. Educational facilities with old boilers may lose up to 40% of energy they produce. 

How can heat pumps help schools decrease energy consumption? 

It’s important that public sector businesses join domestic housing to reduce carbon emissions, and one way to do this is by installing air heat pumps. For every kW of electricity put in, you get 4kW out.

How does an air source heat pump work? 

Air source heat pumps can heat or cool a room through using coil fans, underfloor heating, radiators and multi split air source systems. This allows you to heat sections of the building rather than the entire school, giving you the opportunity to cut down the cost of your energy bills, while helping the environment.

For example, a school in Lincolnshire replaced their boiler with air source heat pumps after receiving over £133,000 funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to become more energy efficient. This involved installing an Air Source Heat Pump and energy efficient hand dryers.

Moving to more sustainable heating and electricity solutions has allowed the school to save 21.54 tonnes of CO2 from being produced. This is the equivalent to planting 147 trees. Not only this but the school has also saved £1,177 on their heating bills annually. 

Biomass boilers vs air source heat pumps 

With energy prices With the cost of living increasing more and more, we’re seeing more schools and educational facilities opt for alternative heating solutions.

When King Edward VII High School were looking for a way to heat their sports hall whilst keeping the cost down and meeting regulation, they considered a biomass boiler. 

The sports hall was originally heated by two 100kW boilers that became unreliable and costly due to them being over 15 years old. 

They opted for an air source heat pump, paired with one 100kW gas boiler. This enabled the school to make a more sustainable choice while making heating bills more affordable. 

It is estimated that the air source heat pump will cover 70-75% of the annual heating demand and the rest will be covered by the gas boiler, helping the school have a significant impact on the environment.

The Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund  

In terms of funding there’s a £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation scheme, that’s aiming to reduce emissions by the public sector by 75% by 2037. However eligibility and the size of grants differ depending on your local council.

There are three phases within the public sector decarbonisation scheme, with schemes one and two currently closed. However, phase 3B is expected to open applications in October 2022, allowing public businesses to apply for a grant to help with the cost of sustainable heating.

The Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund provides grants for public sector businesses to help them implement sustainable heating strategies to help with decarbonisation. Within the fund there are three phases, however they are currently closed due to over subscription, however they may re-open. 

Phase one:

• Provided up to £32 million of grant funding to help with project development, project delivery and heat decarbonisation plan support.

• The scheme ran until March 2021

Phase two:

• Provided up to £15 million of grant funding during the financial year 2021 to 2022

• Provided funding to develop heat decarbonisation plans for public sector body estates 

Phase three

• Provided up to £14 million of grant funding during the financial year 2022 to 2023

• Provided funding to help with heat decarbonisation funds 

• Applications close June 15th 2022

Decrease your school’s carbon footprint with Enula

The earth is getting hotter, and we’re already seeing the adverse effects of climate change harming communities and wildlife all over the world. 

However, schools have the power when it comes to building a more sustainable future where going green is ingrained in everyday lives, as it becomes the new normal for our children. 

Speak to one of our engineers at Enula, and reduce your school’s energy bills.